How do you remove the front sway bar links from a 1999 dodge Dakota?

Answer 1

We just did this on our 1999 Dakota 2wd v6. Remover the sway bar link top nut where it goes through the sway bar. Remove the washer & rubber bushings, if these are still there, ours were rusted off and completely missing. Next adjust the steering wheel so you can get a 17mm socket on to the lower sway bar link nut. We used several extensions and were able to get at it from the back side of the control arm. After the nut is off, drive the link bolt out using a hammer and an extension. If you have trouble with it use an air chisel as the hammer and it will pop right out. Install in the reverse order and do not over tighten the top link nut. It should be tightened so the rubber bushings compress slightly past the edge of the metal washer. To loose will make noise over bumps, to tight will damage the bushings prematurely. Overall it took about an hour but we removed the tires for better access. It originally looked like the lower link bolts were threaded in but they were not, just a really snug fit. If you can not get the lower bolts to tighten, use a 17mm wrench and a small socket on the end of the link bolt. (9/32 socket if I recall) Have fun, it's really not bad at all.