Going to weld new perches on axle..found something odd.

I pulled the 8 1/4 from the Duster tonight, it's not original to this Duster. I rebuilt it back a year and a half ago, painted it, etc. I cannot find pictures of this specific area and I don't recall what it looked like. But I didn't think this looked right:

other side is the same, the original pirches..look at the pilot holes... not exactly "round" anymore, and one side (same on both sides) are puckered in.

The initial reason I am going to put new ones on, is because some of you may remember, I was having a horrible vibration atsteady 65+ mph..I occasionally heard a binding noise, everyone agreed it seemed to be the rear diff. I checked with an angle gauge on the perches and the face of the pinion yoke. they are 6 degree difference, the nose of pinion is UP that much from the perches..

I was going to square them at zero. I wonder if these reamed out holes are part of the problem as well? the pins in the springs are not damaged..Makes me wonder

Ideas on what this is about are welcomed, and tips on something to watch for when I weld new ones on as well. I notice new ones have a slightly larger pilot hole...no biggie?
Thanks

U-bolts work loose?
I found a pipe coupling with the correct id and od to weld in then cut off and grind down flush to solve the larger holes in the perches.
I think DoctorDiff mentioned using a different bolt and nut in the springs to fit the larger hole in the perches.

That looks as if someone installed the axle without making sure that the leaf spring pins were properly located in the hole, then cranked the U bolts down with an Impact gun. Good thing you checked, huh?

the paint on the inside is the paint i applied, and it's not worm off..it's a mystery

Quote:

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That looks as if someone installed the axle without making sure that the leaf spring pins were properly located in the hole, then cranked the U bolts down with an Impact gun. Good thing you checked, huh?

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