You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Dodge Grand Caravan Steering

Dodge Grand Caravan Steering

171 messages,  Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 6:09 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, Plymouth Voyager, Steering, Van

Messages Page 11 of 18 1 ... 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ... 18 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#97 of 171 Cracking Noise by 03DGCOwner Nov 26, 2008 (6:26 am)
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?
#98 of 171 Re: [walleyecrazy] by efthree Nov 30, 2008 (9:05 pm)
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!!! Replies to this message: Greatgig (Dec 03, 2008 6:09 am) bilpelnh (Dec 03, 2008 2:40 pm)
#99 of 171 Re: [efthree] by Greatgig Dec 03, 2008 (6:09 am)
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.
#100 of 171 Re: [efthree] by bilpelnh Dec 03, 2008 (2:40 pm)
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.
#101 of 171 Re: [walleyecrazy] by daved480 Dec 20, 2008 (7:13 pm)
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.
#102 of 171 Power steering is completely gone in 03 Caravan by Caravan2003 Jan 02, 2009 (10:40 am)
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? Replies to this message: xwesx (Jan 05, 2009 12:27 pm)
#103 of 171 Re: Power steering is completely gone in 03 Caravan [Caravan2003] by xwesx Jan 05, 2009 (12:27 pm)
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....
#104 of 171 05 DGC by fowellmw Jan 09, 2009 (7:45 pm)
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! Replies to this message: backyardmech74 (Sep 17, 2009 12:08 am)
#105 of 171 2 years of power steering woes by Greybeard_FL Jan 17, 2009 (2:54 pm)
Hello All,   I am very greatful to edmunds for this message board.. I appear to be one more of many people that have had headaches with power steering in later model Caravans and T'C's... I have a 2005 LX. For a little History.. we bought the car used (an ex-rental car) for a decent price w/ 30K miles on the clock.. at 40K my p/s issues began.. first symptom was when I exited the fwy the p/s would be howling as if not enough fliud were present.. after about 10 minutes on the street the howl would go away.. dealer flushed 2x over the next 40K miles, but howl would return after 1K or so of driving.. since I had an extended warranty, I waited until p/s was making noise nearly all the time and then took the car in.. dealer replaced hoses and cooler, said all were badly deteriorated.. this fixes issue for appx 6K miles.. at 88K took car back and pump/rack were replaced - thankfully my extended warranty went until 90K so cost was minimal..but... 2K after rack and pump.. car again would howl after exiting the freeway for a short period of time.. after 10K miles noise was again constant.. and pump was again replaced (dealer said pump failed and fixed for free as there was a dealer warranty of 12K/12mo that was still in effect).. all fine and well for next 2K miles.. until we went to visit my son at Christmas.. traveled appx 90 miles on fwy at 65mph going to his house (1st time on fwy since 2nd pump).. we were relieved that when we exited, there was no noise from the p/s system.. on the way home we pushed the speed up to 70 mph.. guess what.. when we exited the fwy the p/s was howling again.. so I asked, why was the pump howling at 70 and not 65.. answer could only be that something in the system was starving the pump at engine speeds above 2000 rpm.. so I called the dealer (truthfully, they have been good to me) and explained what was happening again, and asked if there was a filter or something similar in the p/s sytem.. they answered no there was not??!!.. then I started reading the posts here at edmunds and found many other people having nearly identical issues with their late model T/C's and Caravans.. I Called the dealer back and asked if there was a filter screen in the p/s fluid reservoir.. they checked with the parts counter and said yes.. thinking I could save a little money, I took a small screwdriver and poked about 5 holes in the screen membrane thinking to increase the flow thru the reservoir.. BIG MISTAKE.. now the noise began within 1-2 minutes of starting the car AND the reservoir was filling with pink foam.. obviously something had changed and air was being held in the fluid.. so I bought the new reservoir ($34 after taxes) and installed it.. as I inspected the old reservoir, I could see the filter screen was nearly clogged with debris.. I also figured out that the reservoir has a second function.. it works as an air/oil separator.. (air mixes into the oil as it is churned up by the pumping action.. even if there is no seal leak the air can rapidly build in the oil to a point where the oil loses it's ability to support pressure and won't lubricated effectively.. apparantly the reservoir also functions as an air/oil separator.. when I punched the holes into the filter screen I destroyed this separation function).. upon replacing the reservoir, and filling about 1/4 inch above the full line (dealer parts guys suggested this) my problem seems to be solved.. have driven the car for 2 weeks including trips on the fwy at speeds up to 75mph with no more noise from the p/s system..   Not sure what Chrysler recommends for interval between p/s system flushes.. but it might be wise to replace the reservoir regularly..
#106 of 171 Power Steering problem too by dale1223 Jan 20, 2009 (6:17 am)
Im new here and Im glad I have came to this forum, I have the SAME problem with my power steering as everyone else! I have had the whinning noise for about a year only when it's cold for about a minute and then it stops and everything is fine. We are finally out of the artic cold and now as of last night, the quick winning noise went away as usual at start up but when Im in park now there is a noise and when I turn the wheel either direction the noise?? Could it be the reservior and is it still driveable? Of course Im going out of town today so I hope it's still ok to drive. I have a 2001 GC sport and I noticed alot of you have 2003. Is changing the reservior the same on all models? Thanks so much for your help! PS Im going to check the fluid level this morning

Messages Page 11 of 18 1 ... 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ... 18 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Dodge Grand Caravan Steering