Repaired, but STILL having front end problems

[Mark72]

Man!! I’m at the end of my rope!! I own a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan with 120k on it. I’ve replaced the sway bar links and bushings. All new. But STILL when I encounter a rough road, slight dip, or when my tires nudge up onto the driveway between the street and sidewalk where it is steeper I still hear thumping sounds from underneath the front when the van sways a little bit. What the heck?
Oh, and the struts and shocks…all new. Replaced those about 5 months ago.

 

[SteveSRT8]

About all I can think is left is lower control arm bushings.

Sounds like you did the rest.

No offense, but the repaired items are the first place I'd check.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
About all I can think is left is lower control arm bushings.


+1 or maybe a strut mount.

 

[caravanmike]

not all sway bar bushings are created equal!

 

[Mark72]

I have a tire rotation coming up in 2k. I'll have them throw it up and check the front. If it is any of the already repaired items..I'm taking it back to my mechanic

 

[Drew99GT]

Check your engine mounts!

 

[mechtech2]

Soft rubber on the sway bar bushings and end links?
Loose/faulty upper bearings on the struts?
Anything that can have play can be the source with a heavy vehicle- control arm bushings, ball joints, even wheel bearings.

 

[Merkava_4]

Yes, you probably need new motor mounts.

 

[Mark72]

I'm going through h e l l right now with motor mounts on my chev lumina. they are labor intense to replace. Anyone know how the dodge caravans are? and how do you check to see if the motor mounts are bad?

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: Mark72
and how do you check to see if the motor mounts are bad?


You can check them visually to see if the rubber is cracked; you can also use a jack under the oil pan and/or a prybar to move the engine and see how much movement there is in the mounts.

If you've replaced just about everything in the suspension, the only other culprit I could think of is bad lower ball joints.

 

[Texan4Life]

dont forget ball joints and tie rod ends.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Mark72
and how do you check to see if the motor mounts are bad?


Just have somebody up in the driver's seat and watch the engine move around as they hold their foot on the brake and go from park to reverse to drive. If the motor mounts are bad, you'll see the engine moving around too much and banging into stuff. Many times, it's just one of the mounts that's bad; not necessarily all of them.