2007 Dodge Grand Caravan - Front Strut Assemblies

[Number_35]

The 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, purchased cheaply in March 2021, continues to serve us well.

It's now at 287,000 km (178,000 miles) and the front struts, which I suspect are original, are due for replacement.

There's some clunking from the front end, and the ride is a bit harsh. I've checked the rest of the front end, and figure worn struts must be the cause. (Stabilizer-bar end links are new, stabilizer-bar bushings are not sloppy, and tie-rod ends and ball joints are tight.)

In the past have replaced just struts and mounts on other vehicles (that is, have reused the springs), but it looks like the supply of bare struts has dried up. As well, I would guess the springs are worn given their age and the mileage on them.

So, I'm looking at all-in-one strut assemblies.

Here are the choices from Rock Auto:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...on,shock+/+strut+&+coil+spring+assembly,15174

Thoughts?

I'm not sure how long we'll keep the van - it has served us well, but the rust is definitely winning.

It would be interesting to run it another year to see it hit 300,000 km and possibly 323,000 km (200,000 miles) a year or so after that.

So, the struts don't have to be perfect, but simply provide a good ride and handling for about two years.

Thanks, all, for your input.

 

[Kira]

Kind of like leather items or photographic equipment.....all you got to go on is price.

The very real specter of a cheap replacement strut failing after 2 months on the job likely forces you to select the KYB.
Out of curiosity, what does your CJDR dealership offer?

 

[Number_35]

Kind of like leather items or photographic equipment.....all you got to go on is price.

The very real specter of a cheap replacement strut failing after 2 months on the job likely forces you to select the KYB.
Out of curiosity, what does your CJDR dealership offer?

I should check, but haven't. I suspect the parts are sold separately, at $1000/side.

 

[14Accent]

If you want to just go bare struts, the Monroe OE Spectrum's are on closeout for $7.57 each and mounts are on closeout for $11.52 each. The springs are likely fine, I'd leave them alone.

 

[vwmaniaman]

I have been very happy with my Gabriel Shock purchases. I would hope that their struts would be as good.

 

[Number_35]

If you want to just go bare struts, the Monroe OE Spectrum's are on closeout for $7.57 each and mounts are on closeout for $11.52 each. The springs are likely fine, I'd leave them alone.

I installed bare Monroe struts in a van about 25 years ago and was very disappointed in the ride. Maybe I just got a bad pair.

Are they typically OK?

 

[Kira]

Join Chryslerminivan.net

I joined 5 years ago when a pal's son sought and found a Dodge Caravan. It, the website, is still in existance.

I went to log on but I changed my email provider and had to rejoin. I'm awaiting the administrator's OK.

 

[iahawk]

I put the Monroe OE Spectrum on my 14 Caravan last year. The ride is fine but the struts are not. RF one was good. LF made a ton of noise from the strut mount so I sent it back for a replacement. The replacement also makes noise (although a lot less). at this point Rock Auto wouldn't do another exchange, they only offered to give me my money back if I returned it. So buyer beware.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I say either KYB, Gabriel or Monroe. But I know you already purchased them. We put Monroe on our 2004 Camry in 2020 and they done fine and still are on the car but the cars been off the road since 2024. I personally won’t fool with springs so I do the whole assembly both on my own cars and customers cars. All my coworkers do the same. Haven’t had any issues. I think the springs are universal thing is overblown. At work we usually get Duralast or Monroe assembly’s for customer cars. Occasionally we will get Carquest or KYB.

 

[14Accent]

I installed bare Monroe struts in a van about 25 years ago and was very disappointed in the ride. Maybe I just got a bad pair.

Are they typically OK?

What line of Monroe's were they? The OE Spectrum line is what the Sensa-Trac line of struts became, if Monroe is to be believed. Personally, I think the ST's were a better product.

That being said, if it was my 177k mile van I'd get the cheapest FCS/Top Notch strut assemblies I could and slap them in. I installed a set on our Kia Spectra and they've been fine.

 

[D60]

What line of Monroe's were they? The OE Spectrum line is what the Sensa-Trac line of struts became, if Monroe is to be believed. Personally, I think the ST's were a better product.

That being said, if it was my 177k mile van I'd get the cheapest FCS/Top Notch strut assemblies I could and slap them in. I installed a set on our Kia Spectra and they've been fine.

I'm trying to get a read on Top Notch?

We put one of their axles in a '14 Ram and the box was beautiful. Obviously packaging has little to do with product quality. Is Top Notch a bit of a sleeper right now? Or just the same Chinese junk in a thick, glossy, well-packaged box?

 

[The_Eric]

Try the dealer for bare struts. I have an 09 Grand Caravan that I first put Gabriel or possibly Monroe assemblies on and simply was not happy. I ended up ordering shocks and struts from the dealer and was quite happy with the ride. The price wasn't that bad either.. Granted I get shop pricing but it's still worth a call.

 

[14Accent]

Try the dealer for bare struts. I have an 09 Grand Caravan that I first put Gabriel or possibly Monroe assemblies on and simply was not happy. I ended up ordering shocks and struts from the dealer and was quite happy with the ride. The price wasn't that bad either.. Granted I get shop pricing but it's still worth a call.

Bare struts are NLA from Mopar, unfortunately.

5135538AA's are available NOS on eBay for ~$150 each, however.

 

[Capt W]

As well, I would guess the springs are worn given their age and the mileage on them.

Unless they're obviously rusted/corroded to the point of losing their structural integrity, the springs are most likely 100% fine.

There's some clunking from the front end,

The best way to diagnose this is to get the van off the ground with the suspension loaded (such as on ramps). Have a helper shake and shimmy the front end with you underneath. A keen eye and a flashlight will help pinpoint the noise. On Gen IV vans, it's very common for the sway bar bushing brackets to lose their grip (where they slip into the crossmember) and cause rattles. You'll only see this if you're under there with someone bouncing the van.

Bare struts are NLA from Mopar, unfortunately.

True, but the OEM was most likely Sachs. Those are not only available, but relatively inexpensive. No need to pay more because it has a Mopar label.

The key kicker is your long-term goal for the van. Are you planning to keep it long-term? If so, any quick-strut is probably a bad idea. Not only are they clapped-together with offshore components, they are also a compromise with regard to the springs. There were 11 different springs used on 2007 vans, depending upon engine, options, etc. Most quick struts try to replace all options with one or two part numbers. The trade-off is most frequently a wonky ride or wacky ride height.

If you're just going to flip the van they'll probably be fine. But keep those OE springs as the buyer will eventually want them.

Loads of Gen IV van wisdom here: www.chryslerminivan.net

 

[Capt W]

Is Top Notch a bit of a sleeper right now?

Sure. In the same way that Sorny, Panaphonics, and Magnetbox make great TVs.

Or just the same Chinese junk in a thick, glossy, well-packaged box?

Ding-ding-ding! Fifty-two bucks for a complete assembly. You get what you pay for.

 

[WobblyElvis]

I have 99 Caravan. I put Monroe "Premium" strut assemblies on it 5 years ago. They make a loud groaning noise when the temp falls below 40 degrees F. No more Monroe for me.

 

[D60]

Sure. In the same way that Sorny, Panaphonics, and Magnetbox make great TVs.


Ding-ding-ding! Fifty-two bucks for a complete assembly. You get what you pay for.

Excellent! Which have you used and what were your modes of failure? Did you try for warranty or just scrap it?

Always good to hear first hand experiences. Thanks!

 

[Kira]

But keep those OE springs as the buyer will eventually want them.

Eventually? How long should the seller of a 20-year-old van hold onto parts which were scrapped?

No more Monroe for me.

Honestly, this has been the majority comment for the many years I've been paying attention.
I believe the Monroe name of yore has lived on quite well. Often, you'll read about "Monroe disappointment".

HOWEVER, the OO of my truck bought Monroe's monotube offering for it.
Ford put better shocks on the FX4 and Level Two versions of the Ranger.
Still, it's very hard to zero in on any shocks' features...even on their websites.

 

[GSCJR]

I'd ride it out as-is. If the front end is tight (safe) as you alluded to, just drive it.

 

[PandaBear]

About 20 years ago, I have put on a set of KYB GR2 on Corolla and it rode ok, as in it is not Toyota like new quality but good enough to not bottom out or bounce too far. I have also put on a set of KYB Excel-G on Camry V6 about 16 years ago and it rode pretty well till the car was sold. I have not done Gabriel or Monroe.

If you really want OE quality probably need to change also the rest of the rubber parts in the suspension as well. I can totally feel that my struts are still fine but all my bushings and rubber isolations are shots. My experience is new struts / shocks prevent bouncing around but "harsh" is more of a bushing and rubber isolation pieces problem.