97' creaks and squeaks

[Indy Soccer Mom]

My 97' T&C LXi has this very annoying squeaking/creaking noice while driving. It is not while applying the brakes. Most of the time it is noticed when going over any bumps, turning sharply, or hitting a dip in the road. It sounds to me like an old door hinge. Local repair shop said they couldn't find anything. Suggested new brakes - which we declined, as front struts were replaced in 2002 as were brakes. I am worried that this could be something dangerous like missing bolts, or a broken piece holding this thing together and we are getting ready to take a long trip. SUGGESTIONS?

[ryanj44]

My mom had a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country (bought brand new) that would do the same that your is doing now. The problem is not serious, but a pain in the ass!! She had to have the whole front end (rack & pinion, sway bars, and the whole power steering module) replaced twice. That is the cause of the squeaks & creaks when going over bump & turning sharp. All was under warranty.

All four brake pads were also changed, and noises went away.

In February 2003, the power steering fluid hoses let go.. Luckily she was at work, and went to take of, so it didn't let go while driving.. Was fixed by local dealer, and under warranty.

In November of 2003, the noises came back, and the power steering let go again. This time, she was driving in story weather. She had just left her office, and had to turn around. She had to find a ride home (we live a good 45 mins from where she works). The next day she brought it to the dealer, and they said they would not fix it, because the warranty ran out. Bringing to a service was the last thing she did to the van. The power steering was fixed, and she went and traded two weeks later.

My recommendation to you is getting a new vehicle. To have everything replaced is very costly.

Hope this helps you out!

[rrichard7]

Try replacing the front stabilizer bushings. They are about $20 for the parts. These bushings are rubber and with time they will dry out and make creaking sounds when going over bumps (worse in cold weather). This is a fairly inexpensive thing to try first.

Ray R.
96 T&C
99 GV

[jase386]

is the creaking from inside the car, or outside the car? none of the posts have mentioned that. A creaking noise could be just about anything, but we would need to know more about where its coming from before we scare her to death

[LanPhantom]

I have a 1998 T&C and it has a very promenent "Clunking" noise everytime I hit a bump in the road. I sounds very similar to what your issue is. I was told (and it makes sense) that the front strut brackets need replacing. Here in Iowa they are about $85 a piece and can be replaced with common tools (sping compressor needed) if you know how to work on strut systems. The problem lyes in the bearring that allows the two front struts to trun left and right, they wear out and get sloppy. That slop noise gets transferred to the interior of the car.

Hope this helps.

[gcutter]

I had the same problem on my 2001 TC lmt'd dealership told me that it was the Front-End Links $250 to replace both. I spend $45 to buy the part for the side that was making the noise installed in 5 minutes. It is a black 1/4" rod with bearings on each end, about 12" long.

[ElZorro]

We had the same problems here...

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=239515

[pacamper]

Originally Posted by Indy Soccer Mom

My 97' T&C LXi has this very annoying squeaking/creaking noice while driving. It is not while applying the brakes. Most of the time it is noticed when going over any bumps, turning sharply, or hitting a dip in the road. It sounds to me like an old door hinge. Local repair shop said they couldn't find anything. Suggested new brakes - which we declined, as front struts were replaced in 2002 as were brakes. I am worried that this could be something dangerous like missing bolts, or a broken piece holding this thing together and we are getting ready to take a long trip. SUGGESTIONS?

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My 95 Caravan makes some noise similiar to what you mention. It mostly does it when going over dips and sounds to me like old springs that kinda creak as they flex? I don't see where brakes would make this kind of noise. This van has a 200,000 miles on it. The guy I bought it from who has an auto shop told me 'that this noise comes from the sway bar as the bushing stay loose even new ones after a short period of time"? The van had sat for awhile and didn't see alot of miles in the last few years and this started after several hundred miles of driving the van. Weird as you'd think it would do that after sitting too and also it seems when it has rained the noise isn't there?
I had an 88 Caravan and all the time I had it I never had any of these problems mentioned here. It seemed to run fine and the only reason I got rid of it was because the tranny was ready to go and this newer van they had just put a rebuilt tranny in it, so I made a deal for it.

[Rottweiler28]

Is the noise coming from the front or back of the van? Or maybe you can't tell for sure. If it was the back I would put my money on the leaf springs. If the front these vans are known for the sway bar bushings and the noise would also not be so bad in the rain as the water would kind of act as a lubricant where the metal and rubber meet in the bushing, possible I suppose it could also be a motor mount. Just some thoughts.