Flat washer underneath lower spring stud driver side, but not in diagram????

[steppinthrax]

I've been pulling apart the front end of my 97 ranger to repaint and replace bushings, ball joints etc.

My 97 ranger has TTB and 4wd. Upon removing the lower spring stud on the driver side, I notice there's a large thick washer just under the stud, this is the top stud that secures the beam to the radius arm. What is suspicious about this is that I didn't find any washer on the driver side. I looked at the diagram for my vehicle and it dosen't call for any washer as well. There also dosen't seem to be any good reason why a washer is there since the holes are not oblong or oversized etc. I've attached a picture of my driver side with an arrow to where I found this washer.

 

[Curious Hound]

Someone may have added that to raise the driver side slightly to get rid of the normal "lean" toward the driver side. Most people add spacers just below the spring seat. I've never heard of one being added where you found it.

 

[Curious Hound]

The more I think about it... are you sure it's a loose washer? I seem to recall a washer-shaped boss that is welded to or part of the top of the axle beam as a reinforcement in that area. Or I might be thinking of something else.