Front Axle Question

[nycub122]

Looking at the frame diagrams in the parts lookup, I see that the QL series frames uses a front and rear pivot pin bushing (items #20 & 21, part #'s 711-3005 & IH-384837-R1) for the front axle pivot pin, whereas the 1x8/1x9 frame does not have these bushings, yet the pivot pin is the same for all (IH-384626-R4), and the axle beam is the same for both series (part # 759-3270).
Are the pivot pin bushings for the QL series frames replaceable?
If so, how do you remove/install them?
Thanks
GEL

[thenrie]

The bushing on my 1650 was ripped clean off the frame. I had to cut and weld a patch into the frame crossmember. I then installed the pivot pin in the hole in the back side of the crossmember and used it to align the front bushing properly before welding the bushing to the new patch in the crossmember. It's not really a bushing, as such. I normally think of a bushing as a bronze part that lines a steel hole as a bearing surface. These bushings are just a piece of steel rod with a hole (5/8" as I recall) drilled through it, which are welded to the frame crossmember. The pivot pin does not turn inside these bushings, but is pinned in place with a spiroll pin that runs through the front bushing and through the pivot pin. The axle pivots on the pin, which is why the axle has a grease zerk there.

You can see my repair in the pic. As I said in a previous post, the welds might not hold water, but they'll hold the pivot pin.

[nycub122]

So, I would guess that the purpose of these bushings are to give the pivot pin area of the frame more material, so that the hole has less chance to become wallowed out?
Not something that you would normally have to replace?
Thanks for the info.
GEL