- #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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- #102 of 171
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Power steering is completely gone in 03 Caravan
by Caravan2003
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Jan 02, 2009 (10:40 am)
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I haven't worked on a car in a long time, but now I'm forced to because of economic circumstances. The power steering went out in my wife's 03 Caravan suddenly yesterday. It was parked in the street when I started it up to move it. As soon as I turned the wheel I knew I was in trouble - no power steering at all and I had a horrible time getting it in the driveway. There was a smell of burning rubber and a squeaking noise just before it quit. Pardon my ignorance but I have a few questions.
1. Is there a power steering belt on this thing?
2. Could the reservoir cause this?
3. How much is it going to cost to get a new pump and can i do it myself? 
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- #103 of 171
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Re: Power steering is completely gone in 03 Caravan [Caravan2003]
by xwesx
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Jan 05, 2009 (12:27 pm)
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Replying to: Caravan2003 (Jan 02, 2009 10:40 am)
There is a belt that runs the power steering pump. I am not sure if it is individual or serpentine, but you should check under the hood to see if there is a broken belt. If it is a serpentine belt that went out, you will end up with more problems than simply no power steering unless you replace it. For example, your alternator would run off the same belt, meaning there is no charge going to your battery when the vehicle is running....
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- #104 of 171
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05 DGC
by fowellmw
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Jan 09, 2009 (7:45 pm)
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High all, thanks for the great posts. My problem is this week I noticed the power steering groaning and got underneath and found I was loosing fluid through a split in a low pressure line that feeds the power steering cooler. I was excited to have such an easy fix, but since replacing the line it has blown off the cooler two more times. Has anyone else had this type of problem? If I can get the hose to stay on I don't have a problem, but for some reason I am getting a lot more pressure than I should have on the lines going to and from the cooler. Is there some type of high pressure switch that could be applying fluid to the wrong lines? Looks like I will also stop by and pick up a new reservoir tommorow!
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