Fun with the 4WD Lower Control Arm Bushings
#1
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My 1992 4x4 V8 Dak has been making a loud single popping noise when I brake hard and when I backup while turning the wheels sharply. It's also begun making a similar popping noise, but softer and repetitive when turning the wheels sharply and moving at low speeds.
Could be a lot of things on the front end, but the control arm bushings figure highly on the list. Any other potential culprits?
Since replacing the bushings means disassembling the whole front end, I figured I would do a complete rebuild.
I've been putting together a shopping list, and as others, I have not been able to find lower control arm bushings for a 4WD Gen 1 Dakota. All the other parts on the front end seem to be readily available.
I have read the threads lamenting the lack of lower control arm bushings for 4WD gen 1 dakotas. While I am prepared to follow the instructions on chopping down a pair of Gen 2 Dakota Bushings, I have a couple of questions:
Has anyone been able to locate the actual part?
Are the 2WD lower control arm bushings compatible?
Has anyone been able to locate replacement control arms?
Thanks for reading and any and all assistance rendered.
Could be a lot of things on the front end, but the control arm bushings figure highly on the list. Any other potential culprits?
Since replacing the bushings means disassembling the whole front end, I figured I would do a complete rebuild.
I've been putting together a shopping list, and as others, I have not been able to find lower control arm bushings for a 4WD Gen 1 Dakota. All the other parts on the front end seem to be readily available.
I have read the threads lamenting the lack of lower control arm bushings for 4WD gen 1 dakotas. While I am prepared to follow the instructions on chopping down a pair of Gen 2 Dakota Bushings, I have a couple of questions:
Has anyone been able to locate the actual part?
Are the 2WD lower control arm bushings compatible?
Has anyone been able to locate replacement control arms?
Thanks for reading and any and all assistance rendered.
#2
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Here is a link to some of the lower control arm bushings for your truck, hope this helps.
http://moparpartworld.com/parts/1992...?siteid=218485
edit
I forgot to mention you have to search for lower control arm in the search bar
http://moparpartworld.com/parts/1992...?siteid=218485
edit
I forgot to mention you have to search for lower control arm in the search bar
Last edited by MoparPartWorld; 05-13-2014 at 12:16 PM.
#3
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This is strange...
If you look up the part for an older 4x4 they aren't even listed on parts lookups.
I've been told the older 4x4 Lower control arm bushings came with the control arm and Chrysler didn't list them as a separate part.
Yet...
1992 bushings ARE actually listed on MoparPartWorld's site.
That said, their site lists the 4x4, lower front one as discontinued.![Frown](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Looking at the mopar 1990->93 Truck Parts manual, the OEM part# are
4322 549 Front, Front Lower
4322 550 Rear, Front Lower
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzA...0dOX09WRy1Nb2c
So.. it looks like they were, in fact, available at one time.
Maybe you'll find some NOS ones ? I doubt it though.
That same parts manual shows the 2wd lower arm, it's not even close to the 4x4 design.
The link below shows how I replaced them ON MY 1990. (i'm assuming this is the instructions you are referring to)
The truck I did this on, isn't on the road yet, SO I have have no actual experience in using the urethane bushings.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...-bushings.html
I had to locate a lower control arm for a friend. I had no luck finding an NOS one, and ended up with a used one.
Good Luck
If you look up the part for an older 4x4 they aren't even listed on parts lookups.
I've been told the older 4x4 Lower control arm bushings came with the control arm and Chrysler didn't list them as a separate part.
Yet...
1992 bushings ARE actually listed on MoparPartWorld's site.
That said, their site lists the 4x4, lower front one as discontinued.
![Frown](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Looking at the mopar 1990->93 Truck Parts manual, the OEM part# are
4322 549 Front, Front Lower
4322 550 Rear, Front Lower
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzA...0dOX09WRy1Nb2c
So.. it looks like they were, in fact, available at one time.
Maybe you'll find some NOS ones ? I doubt it though.
That same parts manual shows the 2wd lower arm, it's not even close to the 4x4 design.
The link below shows how I replaced them ON MY 1990. (i'm assuming this is the instructions you are referring to)
The truck I did this on, isn't on the road yet, SO I have have no actual experience in using the urethane bushings.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...-bushings.html
I had to locate a lower control arm for a friend. I had no luck finding an NOS one, and ended up with a used one.
Good Luck
Last edited by RobertMc; 05-13-2014 at 12:32 PM.
#4
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I stopped at the local 4wd shop. They said that Energy Suspension can make a set--according to the shop, there's a 5 month wait!
Summit has these http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pt...s/model/dakota
Summit has these http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pt...s/model/dakota
Last edited by Brian in Tucson; 05-20-2014 at 04:19 PM.