Hi everyone,

I recently bought my first Dodge: '04 Club Cab Dakota SLT with a V6, 4WD, and auto transmission.

The ball joints and front sway bar bushings need replacing and I'm having trouble finding the correct bushing size. I measured the sway bar and it's ~1.33" in diameter.

However, I've only been able to find bushings for 1.18" and 1.40" diameters. Rockauto does have a 1.30" bushing set, but only for the sway bar/control arm connection (not the sway bar/frame connection).

Am I just missing something obvious as a new Dodge owner or have others had this problem too?

As an aside--anyone know why the '04 wasn't part of the big ball joint recall?

Thanks for your help!!!

 

they go by mm 28mm and up

 

Thanks for that info. Rockauto has a set of Moog bar to frame bushings (K7383) that are listed as 34 mm, which would translate to the 1.33" sway bar. However, they list those bushings as being for a 2WD--guess that could just be an error on their part though.

Also, they don't have a set of bar to control arm bushings in that size.

I did find a full set of Energy Suspension bushings at AutoZone that are 35 mm. I haven't heard of that company before, but do you think those would be OK?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...6_467573_5934_

 

When I replaced mine on my 03 4x4 I got the bigger of the two sizes at Autozone but they were way too big. So I went back and got the smaller set. I dont know what size they were but they were tight going on but work great. No more play and no more squeaking.

 

AutoZone is a good way to go as you can always return with ease online is a pain to return things.

A tight fit is better than a lose fit on these

Or buy both and return the one that doesn't fit

 

Found this it may help

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...g-install.html

 

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. I was able to confirm that my truck has a 35 mm (1.40") sway bar.

The best way to get an accurate measurement if you don't have calipers is to use an adjustable wrench or a monkey wrench and set the wrench so it's snug against the bar but still is able to slide off it. Then just measure the wrench opening and you're in business. It's important to be as accurate as possible because there are different sway bar sizes that aren't that far apart.

I got that advice and a great price from Energy Suspension Parts. Here's a link:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=5.5168

 

Energy Suspension is a good outfit. Never had any problems with their stuff. Their engine mounts are too stiff for a daily driver, tho.