Let me start by acknowledging that there's many a place I've found stating that the upper control arms were fragile in pressing out the bushings. However, due to a lack of proper support placement, it is definitely bent in some after pressing out just the one side. I'm hesitant to just bend it back for fear of weakened metal(might not be as big a deal as I fear) and there is nowhere I've found online that sells new control arms for this generation of dakota.
I've also read that the 2nd gen arms don't swap in nicely without changing the knuckle, but then do all the other components(tie rods, cv axle, sway bar) fit onto it stock? Is there another more readily available year/model of dodge that can interchange with the control arms?

 

Well, the 1st Gen tie rod ends changed in 1991 also; so that may depend on the source and destination years. They list as 87-90 and 91-96.

The tie rod adjustment sleeve is also either a 87-90 or a 91-96, no interchange up higher.

There isn't anything else that swaps straight in, alas.

It may depend on how far it's bent. And for the next one - make a filler the right distance to fill in the control arm, that will help prevent the bending while pressing. You may find a socket the right length; that'll help tremendously.

RwP

 

Well that is a bummer indeed. Kind of up the creek without a paddle then if these babies go then, huh? If I could find a reasonable way to bend the other arm into shape, I don't think it will be bad. I just wanted to ask others who knew if anything could be done in such situations other than scrap it(should the damage be beyond repair).
Thank you!