Complete Suspension Bushing Kit | Dodge Dakota 97-04

Energy Suspension Bushings: Red and Black

What's the difference?

The two different colors are essentially the same at a formula level. Some black components are graphite impregnated as a self-lubricating agent, but overall they are the same part. Graphite is not added to the red formula simply because it changes the color of the bushing.

Bushing hardness by color?

The Durometer (or hardness) of red and black bushings are the same for that position. The different colors do not indicate a higher or lower durometer.

Why buy red bushings?

Red or black bushings is almost entirely an aesthetic choice, there is no real functional difference between the two. Some who drive their vehicles especially hard (track, rally, etc.) sometimes use red bushings because it is easier to see any damage that the bushing might have suffered from extreme conditions.

Are there other bushing colors?

Energy Suspension used to have Yellow and Blue options but they stopped producing components in these colors a long time ago and they are no longer available on the market.

Why are there so many different sway bar bushing sizes for my application?

Much to the dismay of many buyers - almost all automotive manufacturer's used several different size sway bars in their vehicles. There is no rhyme or reason to this practice. It is random and different between cars of the same make, model, year etc. The ONLY way to ensure you're buying the correct size bushings for your car is to actually physically measure the sway bar. The is most commonly done one of two ways.

• 1 - Wrench method. This is quite simple - just take a set of wrenches and see which one fits over the bar correctly. For example - if a 18mm wrench fits perfectly over your sway bar - then you have an 18mm sway bar! Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to us this method as there are at times mid-sizes like 23.5mm etc. See below if you fall into this category.

• 2 - Crescent Wrench Method. Just a little more complex than the wrench method. Simply tighten down your adjustable crescent wrench down over your sway bar. When it's tight - slip the wrench off and measure between the ends of the prongs. The distance between these is the size of your sway bar.

• Alternate - Energy Suspension's sway bar measuring tape tool. You will need to ensure you print this out at exact 1 - 1 dimensions. For that reason alone - we strongly suggest using method 1 or 2. You can find the tape tool here on Energy Suspension's website:

  Sway Bar Measuring Tool

Buying the correct size bushings is VITAL to ensuring optimum performance from your sway bar. Bushings that are too large will not properly grip and support the sway bar. Likewise bushings that are too small may simply not fit over the bar and make installation impossible.

If you cannot find the correct size sway bar bushings listed under your vehicle's specific category - take a look at the Universal Sway Bar Bushings Page.

Putting the Icing on the Cake

Energy Suspension offers a 7 year warranty for every part they make. But we know the quality of these parts deserves the peace of mind that a Lifetime Warranty provides. Exclusively for DST customers, we offer a FREE upgrade to a Lifetime Warranty handled directly thru us. No strings, no hassles, no receipts needed.

See all the details on this exclusive Energy Suspension Lifetime Warranty.