HELP, 72 K5 blazer front spring question????

[socalfyrengineer]

So, Im new to the K5 blazer world, but love working on my newly aquired, about a year ago 72 K5.

So I have alot of creeking, crackling noise coming from my front suspension. I crawled under the chassis and found a "bracket" at the rear of the driver's side leaf spring. It is making contact with the spring, metal on metal. There are holes on the passenger side frame but no bracket is there, ONLY the drivers side.

I have posted a picture of it, I sprayed white lithium grease on it hoping that it helps with the noise.

Now my help needed questions.....

1. Is there supposed to be on on the passenger side too?
2. What's is it's purpose?
3. Can it or should it be removed?
4. It is metal on metal, is there supposed to be a rubber bushing or something on it?

Thank you for anyone who can answer my dumb questions!