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Caravan/Voyager Suspension

89 messages,  Last post on Nov 10, 2010 at 7:44 PM

You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Van

Messages Page 1 of 9

#2 of 89 Dodge Rack and Pinion Steering by viclip

Oct 10, 2005 (7:22 pm)

I have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan with over 50,000 miles on it.
The first time I took it in for service, early 2005, there was a loud knocking in the front. A loose ball joint was repaired and everything seemed fine. The noise returned in October 2005. Now I am told I have to replace the entire rack and pinion steering. The vehicle is less than four years old! Can this be right? The mechanic tells me he has seen a lot of this type of problem in the Dodge. Is there a manufacturers defect happening here? Should there be a recall of some sort? WHAT SHOULD I DO? I love this van and want to keep it for several more years, but this is an unacceptable situation.

#3 of 89 Re: Dodge Rack and Pinion Steering [viclip] by 97xpresso

Oct 11, 2005 (3:39 am)

Replying to: viclip (Oct 10, 2005 7:22 pm)
I would take it somewhere else, maybe a place that only does suspension and alignment work. Don't mention the rack, only the noises. These vans can make all kinds of noises that can be resolved inexpensivlly. Sway bar bushings, sway bar end links, ball joints etc. It may turn out that you need a new steering rack, "entire" because nobody rebuilds anything any more, and yes it's expensive.

#4 of 89 Re: Dodge Rack and Pinion Steering [viclip] by socalawd

Oct 16, 2005 (5:17 pm)

Replying to: viclip (Oct 10, 2005 7:22 pm)
I have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan with over 50,000 miles on it.
The first time I took it in for service, early 2005, there was a loud knocking in the front. A loose ball joint was repaired and everything seemed fine. The noise returned in October 2005. Now I am told I have to replace the entire rack and pinion steering. The vehicle is less than four years old! Can this be right? The mechanic tells me he has seen a lot of this type of problem in the Dodge. Is there a manufacturers defect happening here? Should there be a recall of some sort? WHAT SHOULD I DO? I love this van and want to keep it for several more years, but this is an unacceptable situation.
 
I had a problem that was almost the same. Does it make this noise every time you go over a bump?? I had my sway bar bushings replace and the noise was gone, this was at 50K miles. There was a rack and pinion problem in the mid 90's but I think that is much better now. If you really like the van don't let your first problem deter you. Buying new will cost alot more than keeping that car going for another 100K miles.

#5 of 89 05 Dodge GC needs rack & pinion as well as sway bar bushings and links repl by ginurse

Nov 30, 2005 (2:42 am)

I have an 05 GC with alittle over 40,000 mi.Started making awful noise when I would hit a bump, lots of rattling. Local Dodge dealer says rack and pinion is leaking and sway bar bushings and links are worn. Is this normal???????

#6 of 89 Re: 05 Dodge GC needs rack & pinion as well as sway bar bushings and links repl [ginurse] by dennisctc

Nov 30, 2005 (4:38 am)

Replying to: ginurse (Nov 30, 2005 2:42 am)
If you live in Detroit with it's aweful roads (worst in the nation!!)....it MIGHT be understandable. Anywhere else - I'd say NO!

#7 of 89 Re: 05 Dodge GC needs rack & pinion as well as sway bar bushings and links repl [ginurse] by 7505066

Dec 04, 2005 (4:24 pm)

Replying to: ginurse (Nov 30, 2005 2:42 am)
My 2002 Caravan started the clunking when it had 15,000 miles. I took it to the Dodge dealer when it had 21,000 miles, and unfortunately about 40 months, 4 months past the 3 year warranty. The Dealer charged me $44.00 to tell me it needed the sway bar links replaced to the tune of $245.00. This is totally a black mark on Dodge. These link bushings should not need replacing at 15,000 miles. The parts department at another Dodge garage told me they replace tons of these links. Dodge knows there is a real problem with these links, yet they refuse to warranty them. Now I know why every American is buying imported cars. By the way there is a jobber on E-Bay located in Canada who sells a pair of OEM links for $35.00 plus $15.00 shipping. Dodge gets $47.00 per link at the Dealers. I only takes about 10 minutes a side to replace the links, and the Dodge garage charges 1.6 hours to replace their $47.00 links.

#8 of 89 Re: 05 Dodge GC needs rack & pinion as well as sway bar bushings and links repl [7505066] by masterpaul1

Dec 05, 2005 (9:59 am)

Replying to: 7505066 (Dec 04, 2005 4:24 pm)
Dodge knows there is a real problem with these links, yet they refuse to warranty them. Now I know why every American is buying imported cars.
 
Sorry, but your wrong about your statement. I'm an American and prefer American over Imports for various reasons. We have a 01 DGC EX and in Nov. 2004 we had a clunk sound in the front, when going over bumps. Took it to the dealer and this is what needed to be replaced. 1) Front link, sway bar; 2) Link sway eliminator; 3) Bushing-sway eliminator and 4) Cushion, front sway bar. Total parts was $173.12. (This was covered under our Maximumcare warranty, so we only had to pay $100) At the time of repair, we had 52K. We now have over 67K and have not had this problem. I can't say right now if this is a problem or not as you and others have suggested. (Only time will tell). But, what I do know and believe, is the environment and road conditions will have a big effect on these suspension parts, and others for that matter, as well as driving habits and the amount of weight that is being carried around on a daily bases. We live in Chicago and have some pretty rough roads in certain neighbor hoods. Not to mention the weather conditions. So, if you can prove that these parts have worn out prematurely, then you are right.

#9 of 89 Re: 05 Dodge GC needs rack & pinion as well as sway bar bushings and links repl [ginurse] by justaskin

Dec 05, 2005 (8:13 pm)

Replying to: ginurse (Nov 30, 2005 2:42 am)
although I haven't done them myself yet, everything I read in other forums says that they are inexpensive to buy and very easy to change.
 
If you're not a do it yourselfer you should be able to get them done at any type of garage. They don't require a dealer's expertise.
 
Start with the bushings. People say they quiet a lot of problems. Go from there to more expensive things.

#10 of 89 Re: 05 Dodge GC needs rack & pinion as well as sway bar bushings and links repl [7505066] by teo05

Dec 06, 2005 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: 7505066 (Dec 04, 2005 4:24 pm)
on my 05 Dodge GC at 6000 miles had left front sway bar replaced and now at 13,500 miles had the sway bar and bushings replaced - all at the dealership. I drive on relatively smooth roads. Needless to say I am very nervous about this vehicle ... and it's still makes noise in the front end. Maybe this is one for the lemon-law.

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