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Chrysler Town & Country power steering problems

111 messages,  Last post on Apr 06, 2012 at 8:08 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Steering, Van

Messages Page 12 of 12

#104 of 111 06 T&C STEERING WHINE by jim7520

Jan 21, 2011 (10:49 am)

I had this problem also. Private shop changed ps pump and the noise was still there. Put the old pump back on. He found a filter/screen in the reservoir that was dirty even though it looked clean. After cleaning in solvent and reinstalling the noise was gone. He researched the problem and found the fix in a Chrysler service bulletin. I inquired at the dealership and they were no help at all. Told me every thing from "it's cold out" to "it's normal". Very poor customer service for a well known problem. For me the repair was very inexpensive. It's worth a try!

#105 of 111 Chrysler Town & Country steering stiff by gdog1931

Feb 05, 2011 (1:24 pm)

My 2001 T & C has stiff steering wheel from when I start it up. It makes no noises during this time and the steering frees up within the first 100 feet, after which the steering operates as freely as ever. This problem is intermittent, happening maybe every other day or as infrequently as every other week. When it frees up, there is a short (1-second) air pressure/fluid pressure release sound that quickly descends in pitch from high to low.
 
Has anyone had this exact problem? Could this be a clogged filter? I've been told it is hard to diagnose - could be rack and pinion, something clogging or pinching the line, deteriorating hoses, bad pump. Based on the symptoms, I think it is likely a clog, but I'm no mechanic. Thanks for your suggestions!

#106 of 111 Re: Chrysler Town & Country steering stiff [gdog1931] by pyckles

Mar 18, 2011 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: gdog1931 (Feb 05, 2011 1:24 pm)
I also have a 2001 T&C with stiff steering. I live in Arizona and don't have a problem with the cold, rather the heat after the car has been on the road for at least 15 minutes and only in the afternoon. When turning and only when the brake is applied does the steering get really stiff. Once I accelerate it almost frees up instantly. I have had the van for 3 years now and this has only been happening for the last 6 months and only in the warm weather. 80's at least. No sound from the unit and no leaks. Totally Has anyone had any experiences like this??

#107 of 111 Re: 2005 T&C Power Steering issues [greggie990] by crankshaftpa

Nov 28, 2011 (11:24 am)

Replying to: greggie990 (Jan 10, 2011 9:11 am)
I replaced the Power steering pump on 99 grand voyager. Your advice worked great. Still a little finagling but is way better than pulling the steering knuckle or exhaust system. Took me 20 minutes to get this out. Good advice thanks!

#108 of 111 Re: 2005 T&C Power Steering issues [kikilalamama] by jamestownguy

Mar 23, 2012 (3:18 pm)

Replying to: kikilalamama (Jan 10, 2011 11:00 am)
There is a company called GATES that makes a locked in system for the serp. belt to not slip off. I use to own a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan SE All Wheel Drive and if i drove in the slightes bit of snow, the belt would slip off and leave me stranded. http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?folder=autoEducation&file=Chr- yslerBeltProblems.PDF
 
Hope this link helps, good luck. Cost for the 3.8L v-6 is around $350.00 for the new system!

#109 of 111 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V-6 P/S Pump Noise! by jamestownguy

Mar 23, 2012 (4:02 pm)

My 07 Grand Caravan 3.8L started making noise a few years ago around 100 thousand miles, SO...... i visited my local Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealer in Jamestown,NY and of course, have never heard of any issues concerning the P/S on Chrysler minivans! Being a lil suspect of what seems to be a brush offed answer just to get me back out the door, i turn to google with said problem and BAM, i find this blog with multi submissions of same concern. I replaced the P/S resivwar and this seemed to have cured the problem. FAST FOWARD to current day just short of 130,000 miles, my power steering pump is fine as long as i do local driving, take my caravan on the freeway or any type of driving above 55 mph for 10 or 15 min and it screams like a very unhappy child when u slow your speed and come to a stop. It remains this way til you shut the van down for a good 15 min, start it back up and it's fine again TIL you drive it on the HWY again. I'm taking my van into a local machanic next week to get the P/S pump and the front struts replaced the tune of aprox. $1,030.00 before tax. The power steering pump will be new and not a reman., it is also going to be a mopar pump. I hope this will be the fix that my self and the van is looking for. I have also had to replace the water pump and the rear A/C condenser around 80 thousand miles. I bought the van used with 73 thousand miles in May of 2009, I'd say it's been a good van in the last 60 thousand miles but 1st i was going through alot of outter tie rods until i put moog tie rods on it, no problem to date but i have been replacing the front pads and rotors every 15 to 20 thousand miles. There is always a pulsation in the peddle after about 5 thousand miles on the new set of pads and rotors! Good luck to all Chrysler minivan owners!

#110 of 111 Whining, grinding noise by chuckmmm

Apr 05, 2012 (4:43 pm)

Don't pay the Dealer to replace the rack and pinion, power syeering pump, etc. Cost over $1000.
Buy LUCAS Power Steering liquid Leak repair fluid. Replace approx. 3 oz. of the old fluid with the repair fluid. In neutral or park run engine and turn wheels back and forth many times to circulate the fluid.
Whining GONE. Cost a few dollars.
I went through this with my 2006 T&C which had less than 40,000 miles.
5,000 miles and still no whining has returned. Simple as that.

#111 of 111 thinking of installing a fitch fuel cat in my fuel system by melvin4503

Apr 06, 2012 (8:08 pm)

-DOES ANYONE HAVE A GOOD OR BAD REPORT OF BETTER OF MILAGE WITH A FITCH FUEL CAT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM I AM GETTING JUST 20 MPG FREEWAY ON MY 2006 T&C VAN WITH 105,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE THE 3.3 MOTOR

Messages Page 12 of 12

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