Dodge Grand Caravan Steering

Replying to: woodbutcher2 (Feb 06, 2007 7:53 pm)

I have the same problem. It used to whine and sometimes shutter when I turn the wheel when it was only cold in the morning and now it does it all the time and does not go away for over 15 minutes or more of driving. I have an '03 Grand Caravan and had the hose replace for the recall on the power steering at the dealer. They then told me that the noise from the power steering pump is caused from the power steering reservoir. He said that this is a common problem with the '01-'06 Caravans. He said that there is a screen inside the reservoir that gets clogged and causes the power steering pump to whine due to lack of fluid. Of course the they told me that the screen cannot be cleaned so you have to have the reservoir replaced at a price of $178.00 total cost. Should be a simple fix it I buy the reservoir and install it myself. I just have to fill the reservoir when replacing it to minimize the air in the lines. If you do get air in the lines, it should pass out due to the self priming on the pump. The reservoir can't be that much money. If it's over $125.00, I'll let the dealer do it.
 
Good luck y'all and hope this stops the whine

Replies to this message:
• dodgeman7 (Mar 30, 2007 12:01 pm)
• rick04 (May 27, 2007 8:01 am)
  • carroverde (Jun 17, 2007 7:15 pm)
    • motoringmama (Jun 17, 2007 8:25 pm) and 1 more...
• rrdox (Oct 17, 2007 3:56 pm)
  • dodgeman7 (Oct 18, 2007 9:47 am)
    • harpitect (Oct 20, 2007 12:06 pm)

Replying to: dodgeman7 (Mar 27, 2007 10:25 am)

Well I picked up the part for $25.00 or so at the dealer. I also picked up their Mopar power steering fluid. After changing out the reservoir and putting in the Mopar power steering fluid, and with about 5 or 6 complete turns to the left and right, at last no more noise coming from the power steering pump.
 
I then called the dealer about my problem I had and he told me the problem is that the mesh screen inside the reservoir gets clogged even though mine did not look that bad. The other problem is that mechanics or DIY people put the wrong power steering fluid in. Synthetic will clogged the mesh screen up over time. That's what I had in mine I think.
No noise any more. I'll be finally convinced in the cold morning if it does not appear.
 
 

At around 60K, I was getting a groaning noise from the steering which was worse on cold days and usually disappeared after around 10Km but would come back intermittently even when the van was warm. As the van was still under warranty and not wanting to be stung for a steering pump/rack, I took it into Crowfoot Dodge in Calgary. They charged me 50 bucks to look at the van, told me they could find nothing wrong and the noise was 'normal' for vehicles of that type then told me that a recall would be performed on the vehicle while it was in the shop (steering hose). The noise was still there but as I had been assured that this was normal, I just put it down to the usual crap engineering standards found on most chrysler vehicles.
After consulting with several people who also own Dodge GC's and finding out that the noise is in fact anything but normal, I took the van back to crowfoot dodge who -amazingly- now decide that they really can fix the noise. This decision may have been swayed by the fact that the van is now out of warranty so they smell serious cash. I pointed out that the problem was brought to their attention while the van was in warranty but all I get is 'tough luck'.
What they did was add a power steering cooler to the system which looks like a cheap radiator grill attached in a vunerable position on the underside of the car beneath the driver. They also flushed the system then left me with a bill for 421 bucks and make a big thing about how nice they had been by giving me the parts for free. It would have been nicer if they had looked harder and bothered to road test the van while I could have claimed under warranty. I had to admit at this point that that I was stunned by the brilliance of their logic, fixing a cooler to reduce the temperature of the steering fluid when I had expressly informed them that the problem was worse when the engine was cold. So I drive the car away with my gleaming new steering fluid cooler, only to find that the noise is still there but worse. Back to the dealership (Crowfoot dodge) and they decide to add a length of steering hose to the cooler they previously added. This is cunningly attached to the car in boyscout fashion with a pair of cable ties. No doubt they think I will be paralysed with laughter the first time I see this contraption in my rear view mirror after driving in next winters inevitable ankle deep snow. They also mentioned that they had cleaned the steering reservoir filter which you would have thought would be clean after the flush (2nd visit).
Anyway thanks Crowfoot guys, the noise is still there and you have truly amazed me with your incompetance and lack of customer care. Thanks especially to the service manager who makes every attempt to avoid my telephone calls. Thanks to the dizzy secretary who never fails to amuse me by claiming no managers are available. Thanks to Chrysler Canada for backing up crappy dealer service - I am now enlightened as to why you are almost out of business.
 
I would appreciate any suggestions from fellow victims of chrysler as to what might fix the problem

Replies to this message:
• dodgeman7 (May 23, 2007 1:45 pm)
  • zxcvbnm (May 24, 2007 7:17 am)
  • drdylan (Mar 10, 2008 3:59 am)
    • jammer88 (Apr 18, 2008 6:16 pm)

Replying to: zxcvbnm (May 22, 2007 12:16 pm)

Did they ever change the power steering reservoir? It's a $25.00 part from the dealer. I did it myself and it took me less than 35 minutes to do it. It's a simple install. Dealer wanted $150+ to do the labor that's why I did it myself. My van has been quiet ever since doing it, 38 degrees and higher. No more noise. My van had the same noise as yours in cold weather then it was happening almost every time before I replaced it.
The dealer also suggested that I have them install a cooler like you did before I replace the reservoir. Complete waste of money and time. I declined and bought the reservoir from them and put it on myself on a tip from a mechanic that was walking by telling me he's 99% sure it's the reservoir.
 
Change the reservoir and your noise will go away! The screen inside the reservoir is clogged and can't pass through that easy.
Also, do not use synthetic fluid. I put in Mopar power steering fluid.
All is quiet and it's been over two month now.

Replies to this message:
• zxcvbnm (May 24, 2007 7:17 am)
• drdylan (Mar 10, 2008 3:59 am)
  • jammer88 (Apr 18, 2008 6:16 pm)

Replying to: dodgeman7 (May 23, 2007 1:45 pm)

Replying to: dodgeman7 (Mar 27, 2007 10:25 am)

Thank you for the info you provided. My 04 Grand Caravan started to Whine awfull, but only after I had been on the freeway. It was perfect on the surface streets. I went to the dealer got the Resevoir ($25). Installed it & put new fluid (ATF+4)in the resevoir only. I also took to heart the note from another thread to use "Lube Guard Power Steering Protectant" (from NAPA). I might add for anyone else that is going to replace the Resevoir, that in addition to the obvious 2 screws on the valve cover, there is a 10mm nut on the very back side directly under the Resevoir that can be handled with a 10mm deep socket & 8" extention. Anyhow the noise is completely gone.
Thanx Rick04

Replies to this message:
• carroverde (Jun 17, 2007 7:15 pm)
  • motoringmama (Jun 17, 2007 8:25 pm)
    • zxcvbnm (Sep 21, 2007 9:49 am)

Replying to: rick04 (May 27, 2007 8:01 am)

Replies to this message:
• motoringmama (Jun 17, 2007 8:25 pm)
  • zxcvbnm (Sep 21, 2007 9:49 am)

Replying to: carroverde (Jun 17, 2007 7:15 pm)

Replies to this message:
• zxcvbnm (Sep 21, 2007 9:49 am)

Replying to: motoringmama (Jun 17, 2007 8:25 pm)

Replying to: dodgeman7 (Mar 27, 2007 10:25 am)

Replies to this message:
• dodgeman7 (Oct 18, 2007 9:47 am)
  • harpitect (Oct 20, 2007 12:06 pm)