Working on 97 dakota with 42 re transmission,changing front pump seal,when removed,noticed what looks like a metal bushing or some kind of sleeve around outside seal or inside front pump bore repair?anybody seen this before.

There is a bushing pressed into the pump housing behind the seal, sounds like it came out. Item #034 in the diagram below:

Went to dealership,and had never seen it before,show me the same print.thought that was the inner pump support bushing,a service tech thought front pump was remanufactured or factory fix,bushing measures 2,25 i,d.,2.38 0.d. x .335 wide.,this bushingis going around seal.

The trans plant mismachined some pumps back in the mid 90's and made the bore too large. Instead of scrapping them they made the sleeve you are talking about. If you are careful you can remove it and reuse it.