Axle Pivot Bushing too loose in bracket?

[Maui-sprint]

I just performed a 4" lift on a '91 Extended Cab with a D28 re-using older skyjacker-style pivot brackets I pulled from a junkyard rig about 10 years ago. I replaced the axle pivot bushings with new parts. Im at the point where I have everything together and am ready to tighten the axle pivot bolts with the weight of vehicle on them. However, after installing the axles I'm left with a gap between the axle pivot bushing and the mounting flanges on the bracket. This doesn't seem normal to me. I believe that the bushing should fit nice and tight within the bracket. Should I just torque it up and attempt to pinch the bushing? Or should I install some spacers between the bushing and bracket flanges on one, or both sides?

 

[franklin2]

Tighten them up good. Those brackets are more flimsy than you think.

 

[4x4junkie]

That bracket looks like it might be bent a little, and is why it's wider... You can certainly tighten that up and be done with it.
Is the other side the same way?

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, what they said, drive it home... if the cast side is that loose I would be more worried... speaking of the cast side is the lift you got one that has a drop plate for the stock passenger side pivot bracket or a whole different bracket that just bolts to the engine crossmember? If it's the drop plate style I would clearance the furthest bolt hole closest to the diff, those are known to punch holes in the differential on Dana 35's

Just to verify, you should have a Dana 35 axle on a '91 (I don't remember from a couple years ago...) which is the spindles I have for you... not that it matters which axle it is in this context but just checking... 10 bolts holding the front diff on is D35 and 12 is D28

 

[SenorNoob]

I wonder if there is a difference in the thickness of the D28 vs D35 bushing? Would be the first time I've heard of it...

 

[4x4junkie]

D28, D35 bushings are the same width (I think same bushing even).

×2, all '91, '92 trucks came with the D35, regardless of engine (it wasn't until '93 we started seeing the D28/35 hybrid weirdness, which also carried the 10 bolts on the front)