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Dodge Grand Caravan Steering

205 messages,  Last post on Nov 21, 2011 at 7:42 AM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, Plymouth Voyager, Steering, Van

Messages Page 14 of 21

#129 of 205 2000 Grand Dodge Caravan loud roaring noise by mjmurphy2

Apr 29, 2009 (2:03 pm)

I have a 2000 Grand Dodge Caravan and it started making noise from the engine compartment, so I started investigating the problem and thought it was the pulley by the alternator so I replaced that and it wasn't that. So I asked around to some of my mechanic friends and they it was the alternator and so I replaced it...it wasn't that either. Now a couple people thought it's the bearings in the a/c unit. It gets very loud when started and driven until you get to about 45 mph. It sounds like it could be bearings or something like that. Anybody have any ideas or similar problems? Thanks!

#130 of 205 Re: 2000 Grand Dodge Caravan loud roaring noise [mjmurphy2] by joepeterson56

Apr 29, 2009 (8:58 pm)

Replying to: mjmurphy2 (Apr 29, 2009 2:03 pm)
More than likely, it is the bearings in your A/C compressor and it is just a matter of time before it seizes up and burns through your serpentine drive belt. It just happened on my 2000 T&C LXi. It began as a rattle type noise, and progressed to a "graoning, roar" type sound, for lack of a better description. I spent alot of time chasing the source of it, even with a stethescope, and finally just gave up. I didn't actually suspect the compressor as the source, because it did it without running the A/C. Also when listening around, by ear, with a stethescope, and with a piece of tubing to my ear, I was not able to isolate the noise as it seemed to travel into every part on the engine it was so bad. It finally seized up and burnt thhrough the belt. I replace the belt and compressor, and it is noiseless now. My only problem is I have to change the new compressor again, because it is defective, and when the A/C or defroster are turned on, it makes a very loud whining noise that actually sounds the same as the whining made by a bad power steering pump, or transmission.

#131 of 205 2003 Grand Caravan Falling Apart by Newt08

Apr 30, 2009 (7:24 am)

This is my third and last Dodge. I've taken exceptional care of my 2003 SE Grand Caravan and am experiencing several problems. When the odometer hit 80,000 miles, all hell broke loose. I’ve replaced the transmission, ignition switch, thermostat and now the computer is dead -- this all happened in a four month period. Whenever I turn the wheels, the front end squeals and it sounds like a can of loose change when I hit a bump. I've owned Dodges since 1988, but this is my last.

#132 of 205 Power Steering Noises by kitkate420

May 06, 2009 (9:10 am)

I have an 01 dodge caravan, its been making these crazy noises since the march break this year. the noises also dont happen all the time, they are happening more frequently now though. sometimes i get this 'power steering' noise when i turn and break but when i accelerate it goes away, also i can feel the vibration in my break pettle and steering wheel, it is not hard to turn a corner either it just makes the noise and vibration. its getting louder also im worried im going to turn a corner one day and something bad will happen. the power steering fluid is right where it should be not too low and not too much.

#133 of 205 Re: Power Steering Noises [kitkate420] by joepeterson56

May 06, 2009 (10:16 am)

Replying to: kitkate420 (May 06, 2009 9:10 am)
I know this may sound a bit crazy, but having owned many C/D/P minis from model years 85 and up, have your A/C compressor checked out and eliminated as the source of the noise. I have had several, where the pulley bearings have gone bad and the noises it makes can have you chasing the source of the noise and vibrations as a power steering problem, steering rack and even transmission problems. For some reason it seems that isolating the source of engine compartment noises in these vans is quite troublesome. They can make some very strange sounds that usually sound like they are coming from somewhere else under the hood. I even have a mechanics stethoscope that I use and even with that or a pice of tubing held to your ear, and moved from component to component under the hood, it is sometimes very hard if not impossible to isolate the bad component that is actually make the noise. My "steering noise" on my 2001 T&C, actually turned out to be the compressor pully bearings. When I couldn't narrow the source down, I decided to just let it go for awhile and try again later. Instead of it getting worse, it got very quiet, then the bearings seized up and it melted and snapped the serpentine belt. I then bought a rebuilt compressor, and as soon as I chrged up the freon on turned that one on, I got a whining noise that acted and sounded like a transmission "whine". Had to do that job over again! No more noises, and it sounds and runs better then it ever did since I owned it. Turned out the problem w the first rebuilt compressor, was that the parts store gave me the wrong weight(PAG 100) compressor oil, and also only gave me 8 ounces to put in, but it calls for 13 ounces of PAG 46 !
Like I said, may sound crazy but I have owned enough of these to know better. Good luck.
 
Just thought I should add for clarification, in case anyone was wondering, that when the bearings were going in the A/C pully, it was definitely isolated to the main bearings and not the clutch, because it makes the noises and vibrations without the A/C or defroster turned on. Also, my comments on the LUCAS Power Steering STOP LEAK ADDITIVE: when you get momentary stiffness or steering loss in the power steering racks on most cars, you may also get a popping feeling and/or sound as well. This is usually from wear on the seals inside the rack. While I do NOT believe that any "leak stoppers" actually stop leaks, I will say this for the LUCAS, I use it as a lubricating additive, not a leak stopper, but it does appear to stop or slow down these internal seal leaks in the rack enough to avoid replacement of it for several years, or all together. This is of course based on my personal use and results of it in my own vehicles, both Chrysler and GM.

#135 of 205 Re: $10 has seemingly fixed my 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan whining [brijeshn] by joepeterson56

May 06, 2009 (10:43 am)

Replying to: brijeshn (Feb 27, 2008 2:41 pm)
I have used the LUCAS Power steering additive on several of my many vehicles over the years and highly recommend it! In 2 of my vehicles, I was told needed the steering rack and pump replaced, put in the Lucas and surprise surprise, no more problems. The only Lucas additive I do not reccomend using in any chrysler vehicle, is the transmission additive! Chrysler trannys are much to eccentric and susceptible to problems, so use nothing but the MOPAR ATF+4 in them!!!

#136 of 205 Re: Steering Shudder [harley16] by joepeterson56

May 06, 2009 (10:49 am)

Replying to: harley16 (Mar 21, 2008 7:06 am)
Sounds like one really big load of crap to me !!! They screwed something up!

#137 of 205 Re: $10 has seemingly fixed my 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan whining [joepeterson56] by xwesx

May 06, 2009 (10:51 am)

Replying to: joepeterson56 (May 06, 2009 10:43 am)
I put Amsoil Universal transmission fluid in my van last summer at 185,000 miles. After another ~15,000 miles, the transmission continues to run like a champ. We have about 201,000 miles on the van now.
 
I went with the Amsoil fluid for two reasons: first, it has much better cold weather characteristics than ATF +4; second, it was easier to acquire and less expensive (the local dealer must think ATF +4 is refined from gold) at my location (Fairbanks, AK).

#138 of 205 Re: Whine during start up [scotth711] by joepeterson56

May 06, 2009 (10:52 am)

Replying to: scotth711 (May 12, 2008 10:50 am)
Sounds more like a belt problem.

Messages Page 14 of 21

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