I just installed my new front control arm bumpers 2WD FINALLY easy to do just pry out the old lube up the new ones then pry them into place.

They were so rotten and crumbling up just BAD but at $20 each rockauto that sucks but dealer would be a little more.

 

Yea I have more fun coming up new Moog Stabilizer Bar Bushings and end link bushings now that its in the low 80's in AZ time to start working on the Dakota again.

 

They look like toasted marshmellows. Try biting into one. LOL

 

I was checking things out on the old gal and noticed the stabilizer bushings looked deformed felt them and the rubber was hard as a rock so they need to go could be why I get a low pop in turns everything is new up front but them .

Ive been wondering if I should replace the trans mount as every rubber part is rotting away engine mounts included. The trans mount is easy to find engine mounts not so easy or cheap as they are dealer only parts I was checking last year and they were out of one side.

 

Well changing the bushings was not fun or as easy as I wanted had to cut the old bushings off and being cramped under the Dak sucked but they are in.

The old bushings were not as bad as I suspected just about 2 hairs lose in the bushing not much.

Anyway they are done

Getting a good torque wrench tomorrow a 10 to 85 lb range a Craftsman. Getting an A/C vacuum pump this week also an 3.0 CFM single stage for any A/C work I may do in the future in AZ you need one finding a rental pump has been hard these last 2 times and they are all in bad shape usually.

 

I forgot to say I found the passenger side bushing bolts were about hand tight so that side may have been sliding around some that was a surprise.

 

You know changing the sway bar bushings tightened up and quieted my steering some that was a surprise! I didn't have any slack in the steering it just feels firmer I guess is a better word.

The new bumpers have helped give me not so jarring ride also as the new front springs I installed a few years back actually lowered my front suspension about one inch and has caused my front suspension to bottom out on the bumpers at times. The springs are stiffer than the stock springs but one inch lower this was not by my decision I ordered them as direct replacements but they came a little shorter with two more turns. I did want stiffer springs just not shorter or lowering springs the stock springs had gone soft on me so I replaced them.