Repair the little belt tensioner shock absorber?

[S-Class Guru]

You know, the tiny shock absorber on the 103 belt tensioner.
These cost $35.
Seems the only fail mode is when they start to rattle because the rubber bushing in the end of the shaft shrinks and gets loose.
I'm about to have to buy my 3rd one, and the first two are fine except for the rubber bushings.
I tried deforming the eyelet, and putting an o-ring between the bushing and the mounting washer. these worked for awhile, but the rattle returned.

Anybody found something suitable to replace the tired rubber bushing?

tks,
DG