Ok so i head downtown to get a haircut and a coffee this morning, and i hit what seemingly looked like a minor bump and there was a loud jarring "BAAAM!!" I though What the HECK was that!!! that sounded a lot like a Shock bottoming out... But thats impossible the bump stops would prevent that"
Um Yeah. I I don't even know what to say. Both sides.



Factory oversight or aftermarket oversight??

 

One of two possibility’s the lower control arms are replacements as they don't come with the bumpers or they rotted off.

I can say from experience those bumpers were not available for a few years as I was missing one that rotted off and was looking online two years before they became available again. Why they were not available for so long is a mystery.

rockauto part MOPAR 52106438AB $23 plus shipping

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/98-04-DAKOT...75.c1#viTabs_0

 

you just saved me, both of my lowers are nearly gone as well from crumbling apart

 

This may be of interest to many Dakota owners

Now I dont know if these fit the 16" rims but they do fit the 15" aluminum rims ....... new caps at super cheap $.

These usually cost $20 each or more, these ship from China 4 caps $10 incredible price and they fit perfect.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Set-of-...72.m2749.l2649

I may be posting this in the wrong forum if so sorry guys.

 

I replaced all 4 of mine a couple of years ago. The fronts were available aftermarket, Dorman I think. The rears were not available anywhere (at that time), I put on some aftermarket, had to drill a hole on each side, not a big deal.

The secret to removing the remaining hockey puck on the fronts and getting the new ones in, is to bend the retaining tabs outward with a screwdriver forced alongside what's left. Once the new one is installed, bend them back again with a hammer and punch to retain the new one.

No more BANG.

 

Problem,, Sol-vid (got to protect those expensive shocks LOL) It's odd to think those shocks will probably outlast the next set of ball joints and control arm bushings

 

Found that mine are missing too. Where'd you get those red ones...link? Are those solid rubber?

 

They look like a poly not rubber my guess they are way cheaper than the OEM bumpers.

The OEM bumpers just pry out with a screwdriver and pop in with a wack or two if lose some silicone will glue them in.

 

Yeah they are polly and were 15 dollars for a set on ebay
HOWEVER they were for a RAM 2500
and were way to big.


But there was enough material there to cut and grind down to fit.
and i formed this out of it.

It's a bit long, but everything clears.
I also cleaned the housing throughly and used a two part JB weld plastic epoxy to make sure they stay in.
I formed them to be tight and used a bar clamp to press them in.