I've got 26k miles on my truck and no problems with the front suspension, all parts are in working order with minimal wear. The rubber bushings are all fine not dry-roted or craked.

 

I have been looking into this and it looks like the energy suspension end link kit will not work because the original Dak's actually pivot at the bottom.

So I am thinking of using the universal bushing kit for the top of the links as the bottom seems tight.

I am going to use the 3/8"ID because they have the correct 5/8" OD nipple, but I will have to drill out the ID to 7/16".

Atlanticblue, Did the bottom pivot of the link seem loose or worn when you replaced yours? How dod you know they were bad? mine seem totally compressed, but not cracked.

I am trying to chase down a rattle that sounds identical to Chad05's problem, and found a LF bed mounting bolt crossthreaded and not tight, but I don't think that's it. so on to the swaybar bushings.

If anybody has input please chime in!

Thanks,
LB

 

I think the energy suspension end links will work. I looked over the service manual and the oem end link is a little different than the energy suspension endlinks but all you do is put the lower bushings on the lower control arm. One on top of the arm and one on the bottom.

 

About this noise you guys are having...does it sound like someone beating a drum in the bed? I have had this noise from day one and it drives me nuts. The service dept. told me all rigid frame truck do this but its new to me.

 

LB
The bottom pivot is the weak link...I replaced both Saturday and they were both broken. They had a 1/4" of play at the ball socket. You can't tell until they're removed. The new ones made the front end tight and quiet again. The bushings themselves seemed fine.

 

Did you use the energy suspension endlink kit or oem links?

 

I'm not familiar with the energy suspension endlink kit...used part# 5135731AB from Dodge

 

Thanks Atlantic, I thought I could get off easy replacing the top bushings, I will have topull mine and check them. They are pretty expensive for such a poor quality.

Thanks,
LB

 

Yeah, 60 bucks a pop sucks for those little end links. I snapped the threads off one when I took my suspension apart last week.