Repairing frame mounts for compression rod bushings

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[Teknogaeque]

While working on a bunch of front end suspension and steering components, I noticed one of my compression rods is loose.  It looks like the cup that holds the bushing on the nut side of the holder is broken.  I've searched and read through numerous threads on compression rods and bushings, and they all indicate that some welding is needed to put this back together.

Therein lies the rub.

What part do I need, and where can I have this sort of work done?  I don't know where to begin.  What sorts of shops will do that kind of repair?

I was hoping to have this back together before this weekend...but with the compression rod being a problem, I'm probably down until I can get this fixed.  Help me get started?

[Reserector]

I once read that the cups are avaiable from Nissan.  I have also read about some owners using an outer bearing race, but I don't know the part number off hand.  Personally, I fabricated rings out of 1/4" diameter steel rod, and welded them to the frame with everything in place. 
I welded the rings in place a little at a time, immediately cooling them with water and moving around from place to place so as to avoid heat build up.  I still burnt the bushings a little, but it was successful.

All you need is a snug fitting ring of some sort to keep the bushings centered.  A local welding shop should be able to do that if you can explain what you are trying to achieve.  If you let them burn the old bushings, you can then replace them with the new.
If you find that he holes in the frame are wallowed out, don't sweat it.  The rods just hover in the holes anyway.  It is the bushings and cups that keep them centered.  If teh rods are cut into, have the weld shop weld up the groove worn into them, then sand them smooth.  I did that to mine and never had a problem.

Ask around and you should be able to find a small-time weld shop that will get you fixed up.

[Teknogaeque]

Thanks, Res.

I ended up going to a local body shop who recommended a nearby Frame & Axle shop.  I talked to the tech there, who seemed very confident with what needed to be done, and he showed me a similar repair on a car he had on the lift.  He explained that their standard method to fix the wallowed out hole was to get a big washer with the right size inner hole, and weld it onto the frame to "fix" the hole.

I gave them the Pathy for the day, they welded the washer on and replaced the bushings and sleeves.  Then, because "the bushing set  came with both sides" they went ahead and did the other side and aligned it for me.  He kept the old bushings to show me the shape they were in...the sleeve was completely gone on one side, and the other was almost toast.  The cost was an aftermarket bushing kit and 2.5 hours of shop labor.  Not bad at all...much easier and no more expensive than I was expecting.

So the saga ends.  The alignment shop originally wanted about $650 to replace all the TREs and adjusters and the lower ball joints (that was a good laugh).  For less than that, I went through my whole front end, replaced all the TREs, both adjusters, both lower ball joints, the sway bar bushings, the passenger side drive axle, and had the compression rod bushings replaced, one mount fixed, and got the alignment.  The Pathy hasn't driven this well...ever.  I've learned a lot about the value in keeping front-end components tight.

[Reserector]

I love a happy ending.