I decided to update the control arms on my 2001 1500 SLT Laramie 4x4 and cheap it by just changing the bushings. I did this bushing replacement job on my 94 Jeep ZJ a couple years ago and with the right tools it's not too bad.

So I ordered a set of bushings off Rockauto and discovered that the sleeves in the bushings are too small for the bolts on my rig. The new bushings from RA are upper 12mm and lower 14mm ID on the sleeves. However, my control arm bolts (and amount of rust on them tells me they are stock) are 14mm and 16mm respectively. I did some research on this and found that on this forum, skeptic68W in his thread "Saga of the Red Ram" ran into the same issue.

I checked the alternatives on RA and found they are all 12/14mm sleeves (as near as I can tell). Looking at alternative suppliers (Autozone, O'Reillys, etc) showed that they all stock the 12/14mm types. Not sure I can buy just the bushings off Mopar Parts. I did manage to find a set of adjustable control arms ($$$) that have the right sleeve sizes (14/16mm) but I'm reluctant to spend the big bucks for this since I don't have any lift on the rig. I'm also unwilling to downsize to smaller bolts since there will be slop in the frame mounting holes.

So how is this the case? Do I have non-standard control arms?

 

As you aren't the only one with the issue, I suspect that yours are indeed stock. What's to be done about it, is another question entirely......

 

Did you measure the stock ones(ID)? Sometimes the aftermarket doesn't get it right.

 

What's the condition of your inner metal sleeves? Can they be salvaged?

If yes, AND if you're willing to run "not rubber", it's a very simple affair for anyone with a lathe to turn bushings from HDPE, UHMW, or acetal.

Just like all aftermarket bushings, they're 2-piece, with one half pushing in the left side, one half the right side, and then slide in center metal sleeve.

The primary catch is getting a good factory inner sleeve because they are hard -- very hard, and thus not easily fabricated unless you have considerable heat treating capabilities

 

I've done this on several vehicles. Here's one example

 

Yes I measured the stock bolt sizes as I indicated above. 14 and 16mm sizes upper/lower. Obviously the stock bushing sleeves fit these.

 

Yes, the stock sleeves all look ok - just the rubber itself is cracked and split. I'm not set up with a lathe unfortunately.

I can buy just the set of Energy Suspension polyurethane inserts off RA and re-use the sleeves - but the price of those for some reason is high (>$100)! If I have to spend that I might as well get a complete set of arms for the front end...

 

If you go that route, make sure the new arms have the correct size holes for your bolts......

 

+1 on the sizing check....

These adjustable arms might be worth a look. I don't have a lift (and don't plan to add one) but the next owner might... They spec the sleeve ID's as 14 & 16mm which are correct.

 

And the price isn't bad either...... Not to mention, you can use those to adjust caster angle. Make it drive better.