02 Grand Caravan Sport/Power Steering Pump?
xFatcatx
04-03-2007, 10:48 PM
3.3 Liter, 51000miles, I dont know of any prior service. About a week ago after the a short stop at the bank I went to back out and as I turned the steering wheel there was a loud rubbing noise and lots of vibration in the steering. It happened again shortly after that when turning into my parking space at my apartment. Today when my dad was driving it he was slowly moving into a parking space and it happened again louder than before and when he turned the wheel in both directions.
We had put it up on stands the other day and ran it turning the wheel but couldn't get the noise then. We thought it might be a CV joint or something with the tires. My dad said it sounds like the steering pump is growling. The fluid is full and in good condition. We cannot find anything noticeabley wrong. Any help appreciated. Is this a commomon problem with this model?
We had put it up on stands the other day and ran it turning the wheel but couldn't get the noise then. We thought it might be a CV joint or something with the tires. My dad said it sounds like the steering pump is growling. The fluid is full and in good condition. We cannot find anything noticeabley wrong. Any help appreciated. Is this a commomon problem with this model?
Bernard Feltzer
04-04-2007, 01:33 AM
The 02 has many TSB's on power steering problems including bad hoses that pop. There is a screen on the inside of the power steering pump on some vans that gets clogged up. Of course it's not going to act up on jack stands, there is no load on the system when you do that.
RIP
04-04-2007, 02:47 AM
Could well be a bad pump but, there's other things to check first.
> Is idle speed too low?
> Is the PS pump belt loose?
If all is well, I would run a cleaning additive through the system and change the fluid. Refill it with ATF+4 transmission fluid. If the noise is still there it's time for a pump.
Believe the TSB for the screen in the reservoir applied to 2001s. 2002s have a TSB for splitting and kinked hoses. You can check it at NHTSA.dot.gov
> Is idle speed too low?
> Is the PS pump belt loose?
If all is well, I would run a cleaning additive through the system and change the fluid. Refill it with ATF+4 transmission fluid. If the noise is still there it's time for a pump.
Believe the TSB for the screen in the reservoir applied to 2001s. 2002s have a TSB for splitting and kinked hoses. You can check it at NHTSA.dot.gov
xFatcatx
04-04-2007, 08:42 AM
Thanks for the replys. After searching further I found out there is a recall on one of the power steering hoses (vans 2002-early2004). Ill get it in there as soon as I can to have the recall taken care of.
After thinking more about this I think I could have a small leak. I serviced the transmission about a month ago and had to do it again because I thought I had a small leak from the pan gasket. There is still a very small seapage but now I think that may be power steering fluid. Where is the pump located on this van?
If the recall does not fix it I will definately take both of your guys' advice. Thanks again.
After thinking more about this I think I could have a small leak. I serviced the transmission about a month ago and had to do it again because I thought I had a small leak from the pan gasket. There is still a very small seapage but now I think that may be power steering fluid. Where is the pump located on this van?
If the recall does not fix it I will definately take both of your guys' advice. Thanks again.
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