Dodge 3500 Control Arm Kit Install — 5-Piece Upgrade With Track Bar

Worn-out control arm bushings on a lifted Dodge 3500 mean sloppy steering, wandering on the highway, and an alignment that will not stay dialed in. The fix is a complete 5-piece upgrade: adjustable upper and lower control arms plus a new track bar. This guide follows Gabby from Core 4x4 through the full install on a 1999 Dodge 3500 work truck — from removing rusted factory arms to matching lengths, installing the cam bolt delete, and using the steering wheel trick to line up the track bar.

The truck in this video is a high-mileage 3500 with a small lift and aftermarket control arms that were well past their service life. The bushings were torn and worn, and the truck needed adjustability to get a proper alignment. Core 4x4’s Tier 4 kit solves all of that with forged rod ends, Johnny Joints on both sides, thicker tube walls, and full adjustability on both ends of every arm.

Fitment: 1994–2002 Dodge Ram 2500 / 3500 (2nd gen) with solid front axle

What Is in the 5-Piece Kit

The Core 4x4 Dodge 3500 5-piece kit (part number TOW-D-35-2000-K5) includes:

• Two upper control arms — Tier 4, adjustable on both ends, forged rod ends with Johnny Joints
• Two lower control arms — Tier 4, adjustable on both ends, thicker tube wall for the heavier 3500 platform
• One track bar — adjustable on the truck, fits 1994–2002 Dodge (sourced from Rare Parts HQ in California)
• Cam bolt delete kit — replaces the OEM cam bolt with a fixed washer so all alignment adjustments are done at the control arm
• All mounting hardware

Why Tier 4?

Core 4x4 offers four tiers of control arms. Tier 4 is the top of the line:

• Forged rod ends on both sides — stronger than welded or pressed-in alternatives
• Johnny Joints at both ends — full articulation, rebuildable, and can be torqued at any suspension position thanks to the independent crush sleeve
• Thicker tube wall — the Tier 3 and 4 arms use a heavier-gauge tube for durability on heavy trucks
• Double-end adjustability — thread in or out from either end without removing the arm from the truck

Why This Truck Needed New Arms

This 99 Dodge 3500 is a work truck — older, high-mileage, and lifted. The existing aftermarket control arms had worn-out bushings with no identifiable brand or part numbers. There was no way to source replacement bushings, and the truck could not hold an alignment with the current setup. Rather than trying to nurse the old parts along, the complete 5-piece kit replaces everything at once and adds the adjustability needed to dial in the alignment on a lifted truck.

Step 1: Prep and Remove the Old Arms

Before touching a wrench, spray every nut and bolt with penetrating oil and let it soak. On a truck this old, rusted hardware is the biggest time sink. Gabby recommends jacking up the truck and removing the wheels for a better view, though the install can technically be done with the wheels on.

One Arm at a Time

Since the truck is already lifted and the new arms will be close to the same length as the old ones, Gabby uses the one-arm-at-a-time method: remove one old arm, match the new arm to the same length, install it, then move to the next. This keeps the axle from shifting and makes the process manageable.

Tip: If you are changing arm lengths significantly or pulling multiple arms at once, support the axle with jack stands to prevent it from moving side to side.

Step 2: Match the New Arm Length

With the old arm removed, lay the new Tier 4 arm next to it and match the length:

1. Lay both arms on a flat surface side by side
2. Put a bolt through one end of the new arm and down into the old arm to align them
3. Slide a second bolt through the other end and adjust the new arm until both bolts line up
4. Lock the jam nuts once you hit the target length

This gets you close to a zeroed-out alignment before the truck even goes to the shop. Your alignment tech will appreciate starting from a baseline rather than guessing.

Make Sure the Joints Are Straight

Before measuring, check that both Johnny Joints are oriented the same way. Lay the arm flat — if one joint lays flat and the other is twisted at an angle, the measurement will be off and the arm will be harder to install. To fix a twisted joint, insert a bolt or screwdriver into the bore and rotate it until both ends lay in the same plane.

Step 3: Install the New Control Arms

With the arm set to length and the joints aligned:

1. Slide the arm into position — the cam bolt delete washer lines up where the OEM cam bolt was. All alignment adjustments are now done at the control arm itself.
2. Hand-tighten both bolts to hold the arm in place
3. Torque to spec once both ends are seated

Zerk Fitting Orientation

When installing, make sure the zerk (grease) fittings are accessible. On this Dodge 3500:

• Axle side: zerk facing down
• Frame side: zerk facing up

The arms come pre-greased from Core 4x4, but Gabby recommends pumping a shot of grease through each fitting immediately after install to confirm the path is clear.

Passenger Side Note

The passenger side is tighter because the exhaust runs down that side of the truck. The upper control arm will be harder to maneuver into position. Take your time and work the arm around the exhaust — do not force it.

Step 4: Torque Specs

Pro tip from Gabby: The upper control arm jam nuts are much easier to torque before you install the arm on the truck. Once the arm is in place, access is limited and you will be fighting for wrench clearance.

Step 5: Install the Track Bar

The final piece of the 5-piece kit is the adjustable track bar. This bar connects the axle to the frame and controls side-to-side movement. On a lifted truck, the factory track bar positions the axle off-center, which means the steering wheel is crooked and the tires do not sit centered in the wheel wells.

The Steering Wheel Trick

Lining up the track bar mounting holes can be frustrating because the body sits on the frame, and the axle hangs below — they do not always line up perfectly. Instead of using ratchet straps or pushing on the body:

1. Have a buddy sit in the cab
2. Turn the steering wheel left and right
3. The steering box shifts the body relative to the axle, moving the frame-side mounting hole into alignment
4. When the holes line up, slide the bolt through

This is faster and safer than trying to muscle the body over with straps or a pry bar.

Track Bar Adjustment

The track bar included in this kit is adjustable on the truck, so your alignment shop can set the axle centering without removing it. This is a big advantage over fixed-length bars that require you to pull the bar, adjust it on the bench, reinstall, and check again.

After the Install

With all five pieces installed, there are two critical follow-up steps:

1. Get an alignment immediately. With new adjustable arms and a new track bar, the truck needs a professional alignment to set caster, camber, and toe. The adjustable arms give your alignment tech far more range than the factory setup, so the results will be significantly better.
2. Re-torque everything after a few hundred miles. New components settle in, and it is good practice to verify all fasteners are still at spec after the initial break-in period.

Tools Required

• Floor jack and jack stands (or a lift)
• Socket set and wrenches
• Torque wrench (up to 155 ft-lbs)
• Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or similar)
• Tape measure
• Grease gun
• A buddy (for the steering wheel trick)

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

• Why You Need Control Arms — educational overview of what control arms do and why upgrades matter
• Dodge 3500 5-Piece Control Arm & Track Bar Kit — the exact kit installed in this video
• Shop All Ram 2500/3500 Parts — full catalog of Core 4x4 suspension components for the Ram HD platform

Shop Dodge Ram 3500 Parts

Fitment: 1994–2002 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 (2nd gen, solid front axle). Questions? sales@core4x4.com | (385) 375-2104