2000 Dodge Grand Caravan with 113k. Hearing the typical links/bushings noise from the front end. Midas has it and says everything looks tight with the bushing/links, but doesn't mean it isn't what's making the noise. They say the shocks and struts are original and really should be replaced. And that it could be the shock mounts making the noise but say if after replacing the suspension and it sill makes the noise, money wasn't wasted since it should be replaced and then could be narrowed down to the bushings. Approximatel 800.00 to do suspensin + allignment. That includes rear shocks to. The van has no comfort issues, no excessive bounce as you would see from a vehicle that has bad suspension. My personal mechanic has told me that suspension should only be replaced when it needs to and that he’s seen some vehicles go hundreds of thousands of miles without the need. What should I do? Advice greatly needed and appreciated. Don’t have much money, but will pay what I need to pay if it is necessary for the safety of my family and to prevent further wear of other things under the van.
Need Advice re: suspension on Caravan
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gathermewool
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I can't say that I've been in many 100k+ vehicles that couldn't use new shocks. I helped a buddy replace the front shocks on his '04 Maxima and the difference was huge, he says. He didn't think they were bad at all until we installed the new shocks.
When I bought a used Subaru with 17X,000 miles on it, the suspension was shot, and responded as expected from worn out struts. All of the rattles and clunks were gone with a new set of shocks all around. It was like buying a new vehicle, it handled so much better!
If you're not lurching forward every time you hit the brakes and feel as if the van is pretty stable, I'd say don't worry about it. However, I can all but guarantee you'll notice a difference after so many miles.
When I bought a used Subaru with 17X,000 miles on it, the suspension was shot, and responded as expected from worn out struts. All of the rattles and clunks were gone with a new set of shocks all around. It was like buying a new vehicle, it handled so much better!
If you're not lurching forward every time you hit the brakes and feel as if the van is pretty stable, I'd say don't worry about it. However, I can all but guarantee you'll notice a difference after so many miles.
I wouldn't even spend on money on that caravan to fix the suspension, unless it has a rebuilt transmission in it already. Those caravans are notorious for transmission failures. Do you have the 41TE, or the 3 speed hydraulic?
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I'll be curious to see what others have to say about this since my wifes 01 T&C has a lot of noise in the front end. I know something needs to be done.
Mine especially makes a lot of noise when going over a speed bump/going into driveway, etc.
Mine especially makes a lot of noise when going over a speed bump/going into driveway, etc.
I like the way they think and it sound like they aren't out to rip you off.
Shocks and struts don't go bad overnight but they sure help the ride on a van. Tall stuff like vans pitch fore and aft a lot on worn struts and subtly makes everyone seasick.
Shocks and struts don't go bad overnight but they sure help the ride on a van. Tall stuff like vans pitch fore and aft a lot on worn struts and subtly makes everyone seasick.
I recently had the front struts and shocks replaced on our 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited at 150,000 miles that failed inspection due to suspension.
It was the first time they were replaced.
I would recommend looking for an independent mechanic, $800 is VERY steep.
I had my mechanic Bob replace front struts and rear shocks with lifetime warranty with KYB Gas-A-justs + alignment for $450.
Canvas around for an independent shop.
Here's a great place to start:
Find a Mechanic
It was the first time they were replaced.
I would recommend looking for an independent mechanic, $800 is VERY steep.
I had my mechanic Bob replace front struts and rear shocks with lifetime warranty with KYB Gas-A-justs + alignment for $450.
Canvas around for an independent shop.
Here's a great place to start:
Find a Mechanic
Hi Mark,
I just deleted a mile long post. I would research mechanics in your area (friends, etc.) and get a second or third opinion.
It's VERY tough to find reputable, trusted mechanics/shops with fair prices. If you find one, treat him with respect.
I tend to trust chain type shops less due to my experience with them years ago. But a well managed one is possible.
Again, get some more opinions. The Chrysler Forum has several pros that contribute. Allpar doesn't seem to be as good as it used to.
Sway bar bushings and links are common problems on Caravans.
I just deleted a mile long post. I would research mechanics in your area (friends, etc.) and get a second or third opinion.
It's VERY tough to find reputable, trusted mechanics/shops with fair prices. If you find one, treat him with respect.
I tend to trust chain type shops less due to my experience with them years ago. But a well managed one is possible.
Again, get some more opinions. The Chrysler Forum has several pros that contribute. Allpar doesn't seem to be as good as it used to.
Sway bar bushings and links are common problems on Caravans.
first off if the front end is tight replace the bearing on the top of both front struts....those vans are not nearly as bad as people think...most think those transmissions are really bad and always need to be replaced and that is not true at all (brother owned a transmission shop) the main problem with those transmissions are the need to have the tcm programmed correctly...and of course the speed sensors they go a lot
Thank you all...value each and every opinion here. There has not been one wrong reply here..the only trouble with vehicles is figuring out which reply is the right one..LOL
I do have a trustworthy mechanic but was trying to save a little because his labor rate is a little highter than the Midas-type places. But, I think I'm beginning to see my money is better spent with him vs the chains. He has told that I should just leave it alone for now and drive it. He said the noise isn't hurting anything other than my nerves, and that the worst thing that would happen is a sway bar break and then replace it. The 2nd opinion I got was from my local non-chain tire/mechanic shop. I do trust them too, and they said that while there could be a suspension issue, they do not see or hear anything that would be suspension related. no bounce, rides smooth..just very annoying. I'm one of those type of people that needs to be convinced to save my money and not worry about a certain noise that my not be hurting anything or causing further damage..uuuughh...I guess I'm very anal, and need to chill out here and wait it out. I live in Illinois, money is tight, the state decided to raise our income tax; therefore my pay raise didn’t even make up the shortfall; thus, I took a net loss in income and making less than I was last year. Gotta love living in a welfare state. The government is no different than the mafia, accept they can get away with stealing my money under the guise that it is legal. LOL
I do have a trustworthy mechanic but was trying to save a little because his labor rate is a little highter than the Midas-type places. But, I think I'm beginning to see my money is better spent with him vs the chains. He has told that I should just leave it alone for now and drive it. He said the noise isn't hurting anything other than my nerves, and that the worst thing that would happen is a sway bar break and then replace it. The 2nd opinion I got was from my local non-chain tire/mechanic shop. I do trust them too, and they said that while there could be a suspension issue, they do not see or hear anything that would be suspension related. no bounce, rides smooth..just very annoying. I'm one of those type of people that needs to be convinced to save my money and not worry about a certain noise that my not be hurting anything or causing further damage..uuuughh...I guess I'm very anal, and need to chill out here and wait it out. I live in Illinois, money is tight, the state decided to raise our income tax; therefore my pay raise didn’t even make up the shortfall; thus, I took a net loss in income and making less than I was last year. Gotta love living in a welfare state. The government is no different than the mafia, accept they can get away with stealing my money under the guise that it is legal. LOL
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Originally Posted By: stenerson
The strut mount towers are notorious for rusting on the 2000 caravan. You might want to double check those.
Funny you should mention that. My left tower rusted out. I'm the second owner of this van and it is 11 years old so i'm lucky by what I'm about to tell you. 2 months ago, I posed this problem to Chrysler Corp, and I raised he-ll. Working in the insurance industry helped me out too. I know what to say, and when to say it. They agreed to replace it for me so long as I paid 100.00 of it. I agreed to the offer and a local Chrysler body shop took out the rusted part an installed a replacement kit.
The strut mount towers are notorious for rusting on the 2000 caravan. You might want to double check those.
Funny you should mention that. My left tower rusted out. I'm the second owner of this van and it is 11 years old so i'm lucky by what I'm about to tell you. 2 months ago, I posed this problem to Chrysler Corp, and I raised he-ll. Working in the insurance industry helped me out too. I know what to say, and when to say it. They agreed to replace it for me so long as I paid 100.00 of it. I agreed to the offer and a local Chrysler body shop took out the rusted part an installed a replacement kit.
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