I was under the Burb cleaning the frame and preparing to install a set of monoleaf springs this weekend. Got the drivers side spring out without too much of a problem although one of the shackle bolts caused me some trouble. Problem is on the passenger side I can't get the pin out of the front casting. When I got to looking at it real close I can see the casting is all wallowed out where the pin fits through. So the pin is frozen on the spring and the casting is damaged.

Any advice on what to do? I need to either repair or replace the casting so I think I should cut off the rivets and then worry about getting the the pin and spring off later, right? Can the casting be welded or will I need to overbore and bush it? Will grade 8 hardware keep the casting in place when I'm done?

Plan B is to sell the monleafs and go for a 4 link.

By the way I thought I read somewhere that the 1/2 ton has 7 leafs on the rear. The Burb has 9 leafs hanging a 67 truck 12 bolt. Was the 9 leaf spring an option for a 58 or did the PO make the mod when the rear end was swapped?