2001 clunk-rattle in front-end

We have a 2001 Grand Caravan and there is a rattle-clunking noise in the front-end when we drive over small cracks in the road, little bumps, speedbumps, etc... I read somewhere on this forum that this is usually the sway bar bushings?

Is there other problems that could be causing this as well?

If it's the sway bar bushings, how hard to change them? Any special tools? How expensive are they?

Does anyone have a digital pic of the sway bar and bushings or a diagram they can email to me?

Thanks for your help,

Jeff Ellis
[email protected]

I think iw ould start with the bushings first.

I think iw ould start with the bushings first.

Is that all you can reply? I would like more info, did you read all of my post?

It could be sway bar bushings, or they might need greese. There are bishings on top of the shocks, they might be worn, and could cause this. It also could be that one of the springs broke. I hope this helps a little more.

I also have a 2001 GC and just recently had the same problem. Mine turned out to be the sway bar links. The bushings were ok. If you stick your head in the wheel well, you'll see where the links are attached to the shock mount. The link extends down, and attaches to the sway bar. The sway bar travels through the frame. Just past the frame you'll see where the bar is fastened to the vehicle. It's at this point where the bushing is wrapped around the bar. 2 bushings, 2 links. Bushings are easy. Links may be easy but sometimes needs a torch to remove. No I don't have any pictures. If you grab a hold of the link and give it a good pull, you'll probably hear and feel if it's causing your noise. A good visual inspection of the bushings will suffice.
I for one would appreciate it if you weren't so rude to people who try to help you. If they don't give you all the info you asked for, perhaps they don't have it. No more help from me for rude people!

I have a 2001 gc sport and have the same problem but mine is the a arm bushings are bad, the mechanic jacked up my car and you can shake the whole wheel assembly side to side. Get a rattling clunking noise and feeling under my feet and passengers feet. Sway bar bushings come off by disconnecting the end links and slide off the middle bushings, those are the ones that went bad on my van. they are very cheap like 12 bucks or so

Buy a manual, it won't mind if you are rude to it!

Thank you for all you have typed, it has been very helpful.


I also have a 2001 GC and just recently had the same problem. Mine turned out to be the sway bar links. The bushings were ok. If you stick your head in the wheel well, you'll see where the links are attached to the shock mount. The link extends down, and attaches to the sway bar. The sway bar travels through the frame. Just past the frame you'll see where the bar is fastened to the vehicle. It's at this point where the bushing is wrapped around the bar. 2 bushings, 2 links. Bushings are easy. Links may be easy but sometimes needs a torch to remove. No I don't have any pictures. If you grab a hold of the link and give it a good pull, you'll probably hear and feel if it's causing your noise. A good visual inspection of the bushings will suffice.
I for one would appreciate it if you weren't so rude to people who try to help you. If they don't give you all the info you asked for, perhaps they don't have it. No more help from me for rude people!

No prob.