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Vans & Minivans Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Dodge Grand Caravan Steering
166 messages, Last post on Oct 28, 2009 at 8:54 AM
You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Replying to: brocktavern (Sep 16, 2008 7:38 am) |
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Replying to: docbunner (Apr 01, 2008 3:44 am) |
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Replying to: nikki2007nikki (Jun 26, 2008 6:54 pm) $26 for the replacement power steering pump reservoir. It seems no one knew there is an internal filter in this little plastic reservoir. When the fluid comes into the top from the return line, it goes through this filter before the suction line can get any power steering fluid. So your power steering is noisy due to not getting the correct amount of power steering fluid back to the pump. I cut my old reservoir apart to see what my problem was and I discovered that 2 out of 3 of the biggest section of this filter were plugged up. After I replaced the reservoir our van is as quiet as a mouse. I was like everyone else and ready to replace my rack and pinion or the power steering pump until I read up on this issue I am very Thankful for these forums. I replaced this reservior myself, there are 2 bolts you can see on top, and one bolt on the bottom that is difficult to get to. You will have to get all the fluid out of the reservoir or you will make a huge mess. You can take the return hose off slowly and catch a lot of it there and the same with the suction hose. Unless you have like a turkey baster you can suck the fluid out from the top. All you have to do is loosen the bottom bolt, not remove it. I had to take a 10 mm socket on an extension and just feel around for the bolt head, once I found it just loosen up. Why don't the dealerships know about this issue? Sorry to be so windy. Good luck everyone, Kenny in Ky |
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Replying to: kcarroll007 (Sep 23, 2008 6:39 am) I said it was their fault, when they pushed the van with no power, that somehow they jeopardized the integrity of the power steering system...they're saying "not likely". They are holding on the fact that I drove the van for a while before returning it to be looked at. Do I have a leg to stand on? Would replacing the reservoir be enough? There was a bit of vibration happening when I returned it the last time, so I'm scared that my van is becoming unsafe. Any advice? |
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Replying to: kcarroll007 (Sep 23, 2008 6:39 am)
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Replying to: bonomi (Oct 08, 2008 9:39 am)
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Replying to: srs_49 (Oct 08, 2008 1:48 pm) |
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I started having a high pitched whine about a year and a half ago (only in the a.m.) and I couldn't find the problem. Since I come from generations of mechanics, my dad taught me to work on my own car or at least to be mechanically savvy. I researched that problem and took it into the shop. They were insistent that I needed a new power steering pump, but I stood my ground and asked them if they would just do a flush of the steering system, first. I had read this might help. They weren't happy, but in the end they did the flush and GUESS WHAT? Yep, the noise stopped. Only problem...it's back! Yes, it held for almost two years, but with this recent awakening of the problem, I was looking for a more permanent solution. This time, it was a whine and a groan. I read this blog and decided to replace my power steering resevoir. I paid $25.35 + tax at a Dodge dealer and replaced it myself. There are three screws (top two 8mm, bottom 10mm). The bottom one is hard to get to, but only needs to be loosened, once found. The resevoir slides onto it. Removing all hoses to improve access helps. I have a brake bleeder hand pump (generic brand) that made fast work out of emptying the power steering fluid from the old one. It took less than 30 min. for the entire replacement process. I also cut the old resevoir in half and found alot of black gummy liquid clogging up more than 2/3 of the filter inside. I paid approx. $60 for the system flush two years ago and a total of $35 this time to replace the resevoir/fluid. I'm hoping this fix lasts longer! Either way...it's cheaper than a rack & pinion or a new pump. Remember, if I can do it...you can too!
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Replying to: fearlesslady (Nov 01, 2008 8:35 am)
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Replying to: jimmymac15 (Nov 02, 2008 6:03 am) I sent a of letter to Dodge about this common problem about a month ago and no response yet. Maybe we all should get a petition going for a recall on this so everybody gets some money back or get theirs fixed. 
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