Quoting garybee: Ah, I think I understand what's going on on the RHS. Does the bolt have a long plain (unthreaded) portion and the washers were an attempt to stop the nut/bolt becoming 'threadbound' (nut tightening against end of thread before joint is tightened)?
Yep nut was hitting the end of the thread before tightening, and the person that put it back without the side protection packed it with loads of washers.
This is all going to be replaced, because I purchased a all new fixings/washers and packing washers.