recalls

2001 going to dealership for the broken rear axle recall. Luckly we were less than 1 block from home when it broke. they're also going to fix something in the front end,and brake pressure switch all the stuff they had on their recall list that was safety related. wish me good luck.

Just a quick up date just got the van back. New rear axle. some type of brackets in the front. brake pressure switch. And now the power steering noise is gone. So all is well. And none of this cost us a penny.

Good news!

Interesting: Do you know what they did to your power steering?

Don't have any idea what they did to the power steering. Must of had something to do with the brackets they put on.

Probably just topped off the fluid. Low fluid will suck air in and cause that squealing noise.

When getting a new-to-you vehicle, it is very important to check to make sure that all of the recalls have been done.
This rear axle thing is very dangerous. As you stated.....you were lucky.
You normally cannot tell that there is any problem with a quick look.....it rusts from the TOP.....so it LOOKS fine while it is rusting away.
Water gets trapped up inside there......

The brake pressure switch is another bad situation that you dodged......the van can catch on fire just sitting in your garage.

The last thing that I want to read is someone getting hurt or worse.
As Tuffy said......it was FREE to get these things taken care of.