Dodge Repair: Upper Control Arm Bushings, control arm bushings, upper control arm


Question
I need to replace my upper control arm bushings on my 1998 Dodge Dakota 2 weel drive.  Question - can I do thin in the driveway? It looks simple enough, but I know there must be a trick to it. Do they have to be pressed out/in? Does the control arm have to come off to do this?  Thanks

Answer
UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
REMOVAL
Raise and support the vehicle.
Remove wheel and tire assembly.
Remove brake hose bracket from the arm.
Position a hydraulic jack under the arm and raise the jack to unload the rebound bumper.
Remove cotter pin and nut from upper ball joint.
Separate upper ball joint from steering knuckle with Remover MB-991113 Upper Ball Joint
CAUTION: When installing Remover MB-991113 to separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the ball joint seal.

Remove suspension arm pivot bar mounting nuts and remove suspension arm Upper Suspension Arm
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Before installation, insure pivot bar adjustment bolts are in their original location Upper Suspension Arm

Position suspension arm pivot bar on adjustment bolts. Install nuts and tighten to 210 N·m (155 ft. lbs.)
Position steering knuckle on upper ball joint. Tighten the upper ball joint nut to 81 N·m (60 ft. lbs.) and install a new cotter pin.
Install the wheel and tire assembly.
Remove support and lower vehicle.
Align front end to specifications.