2000 Caravan - when do most owners have the shocks and struts replaced ?

I have a 2000 Caravan with 60,000 miles. The vehicle has been relatively
trouble free, but I am experiencing an occassional lound knock or bump on
uneven surfaces, rather unnerving when it happens, and an occassional
groaning noise also on uneven surfaces, going around corners, up a curb,
etc. Two different garages have told me that I need new shocks and
struts, but 60,000 miles seems awfuly early, being that I have not used this
car for towing, particularly heavy loads, etc, just normal
hauling-the-family-around. Just fishing for others' experience with
replacing shocks and struts on this vehicle. Does this sound normal ? At
what mileage do most owners find themselves replacing these parts ?

Thanks,
Scott

 

First check out your sway bar bushings. Then the other suspension
components. New rear shocks, such as the mono tube types are a real
improvement over the OEM style shock. But yes, sometimes shocks and the
front shock strut bearings can cause noise.

Richard.

 

I have 121K miles on my 99 T & C. No symptoms to indicate that shocks
or struts need to be replaced. No noise, unusual tire wear, bump
recovery seems normal. 60K does seem early for replacement.

 

'98 Grand Caravan Sport, no towing, no hauling other than 5 passengers;
rears replaced due to leaking at 38,000, fronts needed at 42,000

 

Thanks everyone. I think I will go ahead and have them replaced as I have
noticed a degradation in the smoothness of the ride.

Scott

 

Scott,

Out of curiosity, how much will it cost you? front and rear?
My 99 has 100,000 on it and we have changed sway bar bushing several times.
Now I can hear noise while making left turn and running through a speed
bump.

 

I have a '96 T&C LXi with 198,800 miles on it. I had the front struts
replaced last year at approximately 181,000 miles as I, too, was
getting the knocking and bumping noises in the front (I figured at
181,000 it couldn't hurt to replace them). On the way home I was still
getting the noises so I went back and had the sway bar bushings
replaced. No noises since. I cannot imagine that you need new struts at
60,000 miles. I should also add that in the nine years I have owned the
van it has done its fair share of towing camping trailers and
over-loaded U-Haul trailers so it hasn't been treated like a cream
puff. It still has the original shocks on the rear (load-levelers).