T&C Bad Rattle in Front End

Some time back, I posted a message requesting ideas about why my 2002 T&C
Limited might sound like the front wheels are coming off. After replacing
anti sway bar links and bushings - at considerable cost - the noise did not
go away, although links and bushings were worn badly. Car has 50K miles, by
the way. Finally, the local dealer service guy came up with the idea that
there was a problem with the steering gear. It was a major project that
cost nearly $700. The upside is that when I drove the car home today, the
noise was gone.

The service manager's idea is that the design of the attachment of the tie
rods to the gear is the weak link and that local rough roads are probably
more than that design can handle over 40K or 50K miles. So, if you live in
the land of potholes, even if you drive carefully (I'm an old geezer and do
drive pretty slow), and you start hearing a dreadful clunking noise, look
out for that steering gear.

 

Man...... over 150k on mine and I've only had to replace the links once and
I did ball joints at 150. Otherwise that's it. Our area get's pretty rough
due to severe winter crap too.
Larry

 

| Some time back, I posted a message requesting ideas about why my 2002 T&C
| Limited might sound like the front wheels are coming off. After replacing
| anti sway bar links and bushings - at considerable cost - the noise did not
| go away, although links and bushings were worn badly. Car has 50K miles, by
| the way. Finally, the local dealer service guy came up with the idea that
| there was a problem with the steering gear. It was a major project that
| cost nearly $700. The upside is that when I drove the car home today, the
| noise was gone.
|
| The service manager's idea is that the design of the attachment of the tie
| rods to the gear is the weak link and that local rough roads are probably
| more than that design can handle over 40K or 50K miles. So, if you live in
| the land of potholes, even if you drive carefully (I'm an old geezer and do
| drive pretty slow), and you start hearing a dreadful clunking noise, look
| out for that steering gear.
|
|

Thanks for the heads up... Luckily the roads around here aren't too
bad...although a little worse now from the winter weather. I keep my tires
balanced too...the vibration from out of balance tires can cause accelerated
suspension wear as well.

 

My 99 Grand Caravan Sport with about 48K miles is making a creaking sound when I
go over speed bumps or dips in the road. The sound is only present in winter and
not in summer.

Would this be a sway bar bushing or joint problem?


Thanks.
Mike

 

miket mfcww wrote;

My call would be the sway bar bushings. Defective sway bar links give a
rattling sound that sounds like the bottom end is falling out. I had both
problems and they were both taken care of with TSB's under warranty. All is
fine now.

LG

 

Thanks. Do you know if you have to do wheel alignments after replacing front and
rear sway bar bushings?


Thanks.
Michael

 

miket mfcww wrote:

No.

LG

 

Interesting.
My dealer denies that there are any TSB's concerning sway bar bushings
and links - at least for my 2002 Caravan.

I've just had them replaced under warranty - just in the nick of time
at 33K miles. They were badly worn.

The mechanic who worked on my job says that it's a common problem.
He feels that the link design is inadequate.

Doug