- #133 of 171
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Re: Power Steering Noises [kitkate420]
by joepeterson56
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May 06, 2009 (9:16 am)
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Replying to: kitkate420 (May 06, 2009 8:10 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.
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- #135 of 171
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Re: $10 has seemingly fixed my 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan whining [brijeshn]
by joepeterson56
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May 06, 2009 (9:43 am)
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Replying to: brijeshn (Feb 27, 2008 1:41 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!!!
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- #136 of 171
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Re: Steering Shudder [harley16]
by joepeterson56
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May 06, 2009 (9:49 am)
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Replying to: harley16 (Mar 21, 2008 6:06 am)
Sounds like one really big load of crap to me !!! They screwed something up!
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- #137 of 171
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Re: $10 has seemingly fixed my 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan whining [joepeterson56]
by xwesx
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May 06, 2009 (9:51 am)
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Replying to: joepeterson56 (May 06, 2009 9:43 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).
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- #138 of 171
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Re: Whine during start up [scotth711]
by joepeterson56
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May 06, 2009 (9:52 am)
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Replying to: scotth711 (May 12, 2008 9:50 am)
Sounds more like a belt problem.
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- #139 of 171
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Re: Dodge Grand Caravan-Steering and Whining issues [sbradshaw]
by joepeterson56
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May 06, 2009 (10:15 am)
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Replying to: sbradshaw (Mar 31, 2009 5:04 am)
Should not be any clunking noise at all! Did you check/replace the bushings?
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- #140 of 171
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Re: $10 has seemingly fixed my 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan whining [xwesx]
by joepeterson56
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May 06, 2009 (10:24 am)
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Replying to: xwesx (May 06, 2009 9:51 am)
Hey X, you know, my neighbor went w the Amsoil in his 06 ram Pu as well and says he has had no problems w it either. But after some of the expense and problems I went thru w my mini trannys, I am afraid to take the chance on anything but the ATF+4 they recommend. I am just not convince that you and my neighbor are the excepition to the rule on this or what. 
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- #141 of 171
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Re: $10 has seemingly fixed my 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan whining [joepeterson56]
by xwesx
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May 06, 2009 (2:46 pm)
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Replying to: joepeterson56 (May 06, 2009 10:24 am)
Yeah, I absolutely understand your hesitancy. I felt the same way. Actually, after reading about the vans, I was very hesitant to even buy the thing. I picked it up two years ago when it had 170,000 miles on it. But, it was owned at the time by a well-respected mechanic and was used regularly by his family. The price was also right, so after trying it out and looking it over, I decided it was worth the risk. I wanted two years out of it, which I got, and now I would not mind two more! All told and gremlins aside, I am very pleased with the van.
The only major problem I had with it the first winter was just trying to get it to move during the very cold days. Even with a heater on the transmission pan, it was terribly sluggish. So, when I was ready to change the fluid at 185K, I looked at alternate fluids. Amsoil, which I use for all my vehicles' engines and change once per year, makes a "universal" ATF that claims to be compatible. I contacted them to inquire for assurance purposes and they supported their claim. I figured if I changed the fluid and the transmission immediately failed then it would be their liability. I took the chance and came up smelling like roses. And, it behaves much better in frigid temperatures.
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- #142 of 171
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Re: Power Steering Noises [kitkate420]
by sbradshaw
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May 07, 2009 (6:55 pm)
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Replying to: kitkate420 (May 06, 2009 8:10 am)
I was looking up some information in the manual about the (BRAKE) light that periodically comes on and read something simiular that could accure. You might want to scan the manual just for eliminations too. 
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