Hey guys I have a 2000 Ram 5.9 4WD, I bought Raybestos Professional Grade control arm bushings. I got the old bushings out, and the new ones in. Well then noticed the factory bolts are slightly bigger than the sleeve in the new bushings, and the bolts wont go though them. The old factory bushing sleeve was a solid metal sleeve, where as the new sleeve is a rolled/bent piece of metal. I couldnt bang the bolt through without tearing up the thread. So my question is, are new bolts made to fit this and i just need to buy new bolts or should I just slightly drill the sleeve out to fit my factory bolts. THANKS!!

 

I would check with the folks you got the bushings from, and verify you got the right ones.

You could check and see if new bolts are smaller diameter..... they might be. Ya just never know.

 

I got them from rockauto, but even doing a search on Raybestos website shows the correct part number for my truck. Even if i look up 99 or 01 its still the same for my 00.

 

btw both upper and lower face this same issue.

 

If its just a matter of the hole in the new bushing being just very slightly to small, then I would just drill it out. If there is a huge difference in the bolt size to the new bushings, then I would not drill it out.

 

Using a caliper to measure, the bolt on the upper control arms are .542 and hole in the sleeve is .50

 

Any more thoughts on this?

 

How thick is the sleeve?

 

I'm at work right now but guessing no less than a 1/8in think.

 

Drill it out.