- #92 of 171
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Re: Power Steering Problem - DGC 2003 [dodgeman7]
by jimmymac15
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Nov 09, 2008 (4:14 pm)
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Replying to: dodgeman7 (Nov 04, 2008 7:09 am)
Ok, well I had to delay my repair for a week due to rain, but got it done today. Everything is working fine now, the new resevoir worked. Took me just over an hour to do, of which 55 minutes was getting the back hose off. Everything else was easy.
Thanks everyone, this message thread saved me about $800 as the mechanic wanted to switch out the rack, he said $800 was a great deal....
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- #93 of 171
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by walleyecrazy
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Nov 25, 2008 (4:40 pm)
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Just wanted to add a +1 to this topic. Had a nasty whine in my power steering system that had been gradually getting worse. I was getting ready to bring it in to have the system looked at when I stumbled on this forum. I went and bought the part this morning for $30. It took me about 45minutes total to replace the reservoir and get the system back up to the proper level. The hardest part of the job for me was getting the hose off of the back of the reservoir. That probably took me a good 20 miuntes out of the 45 for the whole job. I am glad to report that as with the others that have already posted my whine is now completely gone. Now I just need to replace my idler pully and all will be well for now.
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- #94 of 171
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Re: [walleyecrazy]
by dodgeman7
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Nov 25, 2008 (5:15 pm)
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Replying to: walleyecrazy (Nov 25, 2008 4:40 pm)
I had most of my time trying to remove that same hose off the reservoir and not that 10mm nut off the back of the reservoir. Mine seemed to be baked on and frozen on to the reservoir. I tried a screw driver to wedge it between the hose and the reservoir and twisting it a bit and it did not help. I then went for my trusty air hose and blasted air where I put the screwdriver and finally after a few tries it came off. Still no big deal to take off if you know some tricks to remove frozen hoses.
One day I'll go back and replace that hose because it should never be that way. The chemistry between the two components do not mix well I guess.
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- #95 of 171
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Re: [dodgeman7]
by wormshaw
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Nov 25, 2008 (7:08 pm)
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Replying to: dodgeman7 (Nov 25, 2008 5:15 pm)
Hi, i'm going to give it a try, but i was wandering if you have to use the brake bleeding kit. how do you stop getting air in the fluid??
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- #96 of 171
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Re: [wormshaw]
by dodgeman7
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Nov 25, 2008 (8:19 pm)
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Replying to: wormshaw (Nov 25, 2008 7:08 pm)
You don't need a brake bleeding kit. All you have to do is fill the reservoir a little over the full line and turn the steering wheel back and forth about five times each way slowly while checking to see if you have to add more fluid in the reservoir. As you turn your steering wheel slowly, the fluid is pumped into the lines and pushes out the air. If you run low and draw in air, you have to add more fluid and start over turning the wheel back and forth slowly. It should bleed out the air by itself. After you hear the noise go away, fill the reservoir to the full line and drive it around 5-10 minutes. Check fluid again and add if you need too.
Good luck and let me know if the noise goes away.
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- #97 of 171
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Cracking Noise
by 03DGCOwner
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Nov 26, 2008 (6:26 am)
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I have an 03 Grand Caravan (96K miles) and the steering has just recently started having issues (two). At startup, the power steering does not work until it warms up. At all times, when you start to turn the wheel in either direction, the steering wheel will turn, but not the wheels. Then, a cracking noise occurs and the wheels finish their travel normally until turned the other way and the same thing. Basically, there seems to be some slop in the steering and a cracking noise occurs when the wheels start to turn and catch up with the steering wheel. I took it to a local mechanic and they couldn't find anything at first. They then said it was the column that was making the noise and that it was only a nuissance noise. Any ideas?
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- #98 of 171
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Re: [walleyecrazy]
by efthree
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Nov 30, 2008 (9:05 pm)
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Replying to: walleyecrazy (Nov 25, 2008 4:40 pm)
This week, I purchased a new power steering pump for my 03 Dodge Grand Caravan to fix the noise. After determining how difficult it was going to be to change it, I stumbled on this forum. I put a new reservoir on 3 days ago and just returned from a 600 mile trip. It worked perfect, no more growling and I can return that new pump. Thank you all!!!
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- #99 of 171
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Re: [efthree]
by Greatgig
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Dec 03, 2008 (6:09 am)
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Replying to: efthree (Nov 30, 2008 9:05 pm)
After having the rack and pinion replaced in my 03 Dodge Grand Caravan three times now over the past 2 years (and now it's growling/whining yet again), I'm glad I came across this post. Especially since the warranty has now expired. I'm going to try replacing the reservoir and see if this finally fixes this problem. Thanks to all for the suggestion.
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- #100 of 171
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Re: [efthree]
by bilpelnh
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Dec 03, 2008 (2:40 pm)
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Replying to: efthree (Nov 30, 2008 9:05 pm)
I also had many of the same problems with my power steering, and was discouraged at the thought of so much work to replace the pump, or pay hundreds of dollars for someone else to do it. I just replaced the reservoir ($28.00 at the dealer), and problems solved. A few of points worth mentioning: 1) I was very glad to know that the nut hidden behind the reservoir was 10 mm, especially since the two on top were 8 mm. I was able to thread a socket and extension in from the firewall until it grabbed. 2) It was also good to know that the larger hose was so tough to get off. I was ready to cut it out completely when it finally broke loose. Just be careful. I used a thin screwdriver to work it loose. 3) Even if you siphon out all the available fluid, there's plenty left in the reservoir and hoses that will run out while you wrestle with the stuck hose. Place a couple of rags over the engine before you start. 4) All the auto parts stores I talked to either didn't stock the reservoir, or only sold it with the pump. For 28 bucks, just call the dealer. Finally, thank you to all for your help. I hope to return the favor.
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- #101 of 171
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Re: [walleyecrazy]
by daved480
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Dec 20, 2008 (7:13 pm)
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Replying to: walleyecrazy (Nov 25, 2008 4:40 pm)
One more confirmation that replacing the power steering reservoir fixes a whiny steering. We've had the power steering pump replaced. Whine returned. Then we had the rack replaced. Whine returned. This week as a result of reading this forum we had the power steering reservoir replaced and the whine is completely gone.
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