Pivot shaft & poly bushings mystery

For the record or for science, I will say that after 65,000 miles and 14 years without lubricating the poly bushings that I didn’t know I had, and cleaning the dirt out of them, they may still be serviceable! Lol.

I think my slop issues were likely caused by “end play” due to a combination of things. First the gap and flexibility between the sides of the LCA on the pivot end. Not that 57 years hasn’t played a roll but I think one of mine was tack welded well after lunch break on the assembly line. It’s pretty floppy. I suspect that the bushings have worn a bit with my mistreatment. But they will function on dry silt without squeaking! I know that the pivots were not tightened and I think that enabled the spring (T bar) to walk up and down. Maybe enough to loose a retainer clip? I don’t know.
Once the struts were backed off I could twist the LCAs on sloppy T bars and pivots.

It was time I got to these even if only to lube them and properly tighten the pivots. But I bet (about $160) that I’ll be happy with having new lubed derlin bushings on shafts that were made for them too though.