After working on my neighbors 2005 DODGE CARAVAN I have concluded a couple of things 1. The engineers and designers at Chrysler are smoking crack and 2. They design these vehicles while smoking crack.

Why would anyone in their right mind uses nuts and bolts to attach stabilizer bushing brackets especially on the drivers side were room to move is zero. Additionally the use of pinch nuts is a delightful touch especially when afore mentioned room is lacking. it seems to me that a stud and nut combo would have been better.

 

Since bad language isn't tolerated here, I can't say some of the things I said while replacing the links on our 2001. Interestingly enough, although replacing the links reduced the clunking, it was the actual sway bar bushings that made the most difference.

 

2nd Time doing mine @ 50K. Totally rediculous if you ask me.

 

Don't fret too much. if you are installing the new type of Chrysler sway bar bushing, with the nylon insert (4th Generation Minivans), you will appreciate the opportunity to use a longer bolt, which wouldn't be the case if the bracket had a stud.
These newly designed bushings are only available from Chrysler, as far as I know, and are bigger in diameter to install, because of the insert, making them somewhat difficult with the present length bolt. Snugging them up, using a smaller diameter bolt, can help bring the parts together so the proper bolt can be used more easily.
As to the aftermarket polyurethane only bushings, they are just as unacceptable as the old rubber ones, in my experience. Short life products. We will see how the nylon inserts work. Hopefully better.
By the way, if your Mechanic tells you the nylon insert is a throw away piece, he's totally wrong and not familiar with the product. The installation is with the nylon insert in place and without any lubrication (dry).
As to stuff being in the way, remove a couple of small bolts and push the stuff aside to facilitate the installation. That's what Mechanics do. Takes two minutes.
The real problem with the design of the sway bar bushings is the use of a tab instead of another bolt, to hold the bracket in place. A two bolt connection for the bracket would eliminate the bracket banging against the chassis (clunk, clunk) and offer an opportunity to use greaseable bushings, with grease fittings, if available.