The older LT thudbusters ..anyone had the pivot arms themselves wear much ?

I've 3 thudbuster LT seatposts that I look after and unfortunately service /change the bushes on more regularly than I'd like . I keep them clean and lube the bushes and pivots but following on from another recent related thread I started to wonder whether the reason the bushes get loose more quickly than you'd expect is that perhaps the pivots arms themselves wear slightly and introduce extra play that compounds the issue?
They're supposed to be hard anodised aluminium .
On the last bushing change I paid a bit more attention and noticed that with a brand new set of not cheap "hoola hoops " they still have visible play and if you rock the linkages by hand you will see gaps and movement in the pivot arm /main body /bushing area.
Anyone had this issue or like to comment ? I've used them for many years but getting cheesed off with cost of regular bushing changes as I hate sloppy pivots and or any creaking etc .I may contact thudbuster or the importer but I'd imagine they won't be interested as it's not the latest version .
Your thoughts?