BTW, the reason I’m not changing the upper control arm bushings is because I swapped them out about 10 years ago. They’re still in excellent shape. Rubber still healthy. I did them from the top and remember it involved some cussing. I’m just unsure why I changed them out. I do remember the nuts securing the arm to the frame were loose on the right side. The ones with the bolts going through the pivot shaft (whatever the hell it’s called). Has the bushings on the end. Don’t know who loosened them. Surely wasn’t me. I think it created stress on them bushings and that’s why I replaced them. Decided to do both sides. But I’m thinking that’s why I replaced the bushings. Not sure. I can’t remember what I was thinking 10 minutes ago let alone 10 years ago.

 

Got another one for you Sir Ralph.

Here is a photo of my LH bellow. The arrow is pointing to a tube that goes into the bellow (the other end of the tube goes to the RH bellow). I don't know what purpose that tube serves but I suspect it is important. Venting of some kind?? No friggin' idea.




Anyhow, I found some AC Delco Pro bellows on Amazon (link below). In looking at it, I'm not seeing where that tube goes unless it's that hole on the oblong part of the circle. Which then begs the question, where the hell does that hole go?!!!?!!

 

It's venting; otherwise, when you turned one way, one bellow would be pressurized and tend to blow out.

The ACDelco bellows put the vent hose in that obround portion.

The 45A7060? Yah, there's a small hole there (see the second, third, or fourth picture at AmazonSmile: ACDelco - Rack and Pinion (B) (45A7060) : Automotive )

The large zip tie goes on the rack side of course.

I'd leave the small one off until the front end was aligned, or put it on but not snug it down any until it's aligned, so you don't have to worry about the alignment twisting the bellow any.

RwP

 

Well that makes total sense.

And good idea about securing the small side after alignment. I would not have thought of it. I wonder if the alignment guy would?

 

Here is the lower AC Delco balljoints they sent me.




Wrong! Correct number per their application chart. Probably the correct part for that number. But this is a thread-in balljoint. Mine is a press-in. I even went back to my truck and looked again. Mine is a press-in no ifs, ands, or buts. I think they sent me uppers cuz they're the same dimensions. AC Delco's application chart is wrong. End of story. So this part goes back. Instead, I ordered two lower balljoints from Holley (Proforged 101-10085) per both my research and Ralph's. The photograph shows this Proforged balljoint as being a press-in (unlike the AC Delco photo). I like my odds that it's the correct part. https://www.holley.com/products/susp...arts/101-10085

As a side note to anyone who might read this thread in the future, buy your balljoints and tie rod parts from the Holley website (Proforged brand). It's the way to go.

 

Received the Proforged tie rod inners and outers today. Again, nice parts. Robust, weighty. Tight ball pivoting. As someone who spent a lot of time working with machinists and CNC machining equipment the one tell tale sign of workmanship is the quality of threading. The threads on these Proforged parts are pristine. Even better than the AC Delco parts and those aren't bad either. Good recommendation, Ralph.

And the end links showed up too. Chinese crap. Awaiting upper ball joints only. Haven't even shipped yet.

 

The end links aren't anywhere near as likely to send you into a tree, thankfully.

What you CAN do is find the length and thread, and order some better bolts; find the length for the bushing, and have one machined; and ... you'll have the nicest end links on a Dakota, probably worth what the truck is.

I'm still using my Energy Suspension end links; they've lasted this long, and still look good.

RwP

 

I opened the package and the first thing I saw was Made in China. I immediately copped an attitude. I suspect they’re fine for what they are. But the nuts only go halfway on before getting stuck. Oh, yay! Nothing a wrench or air gun can’t handle though I suspect these are lower torque parts so gotta be a little careful. Funny thing is I saw some Proforged links on Amazon for 1/3rd the price but they had only one. This was before I knew I could order Proforged direct off the Holley website. Win some, lose some. For now I’m happy with the more important stuff like the Proforged tie rods.

 

Yep.

I went ES for all my bushings back when; I'd recommend Prothane in black to folks now because Prothane black are supposedly graphite impregnated to reduce the EEKookEEKook that poly can do.

Nothing wrong with others; was just my choice for parts that could be just about "Done and done", unlike ball joints that wear down with age.

RwP

 

A little silcone spray could help the EeekookEeekoock, no?