Passenger side control arm bushing is gone. Metal on metal if it's not driving straight. No local parts store has the whole control arm and an option I'd like to do is just replace the bushings. What's the better option? The arm is looking good. I saw that I can get a kit that pushes in and out the rubber and my brother told me we can do it without a kit. I just wanna replace the bushings.

 

What year is your truck?

That said - on my 1988, I replaced all my control arm bushings with Energy Suspension poly bushings. I personally love how it rides and steers.

However, they only list 2WD trucks for the poly bushings.

As to without - presuming a Gen1, you can use an air chisel to knock the old bushings out, and a press to push them in. You MAY be able to hammer them in too.

I would HIGHLY recommend considering a) doing the driver's side also, and b) doing the ball joints while you're in there.

RwP

 

It's a 96 4x4 3.9. That makes life easier, your reply. I'll post pics for the fix and post. BTW, you're everywhere Ralph. Thanks lol.

 

I'm like ChickenMan *grins*

RwP

 

I don't think you said if its upper or lower. What several of us have done is use the poly kit for a 97 4wd. The uppers are exact replacement and the lowers require that you shorten the one bushing. There are some post on here concerning doing this very thing.


Edit to add this link. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...-bushings.html

 

The bushing on the rear side of the cross bolt is the one that is worn out. Should i change the whole upper arm or just that? Maybe im gonna go to a junkyard and swap out that whole assembly.

 

My suggestion? Yes. *grins*

Go to the boneyard, grab both upper control arms, and rebuild both with bushings and ball joints.

Then swap both out in one weekend.

Get it aligned, and at least the UPPER control arm should be good to go for several thousand miles.

RwP

 

This. This is what I'm in the middle of doing right now. I picked up all four control arms and a set of steering knuckles since 3 of 4 caliper bolt holes were stripped out on mine...

total parts cost of the arms and knuckles: $170

I like the idea of being able to take the time to remove all of the rust (electrolysis tank) and give them a fresh coat of paint.

I've got a set of above mentioned set of Energy suspension bushings. I recall a post where someone mentioned that the bushings for the upper arm were a tad too loose and his option was to either weld in the metal sleeves, or buy a set of the MOOG rubber bushings.

Is this slandered with this energy suspension kit? or was this maybe a one-off with this guys setup? Has anyone else that install tier poly bushing kit run into problems with the upper control arm bushings being too loose?

I guess I'll find out at some point this weekend for mine anyways as the upper arms are next to hit the electrolysis tank.