Misc. Problems with a '97 Astro

[Chris101]

I've got a '97 Astro with about 120,000 miles on it and I've got some questions on some things about it.

First, the gas gage has stopped working properly. It will stay at full all the time. On occasion, when the van isn't running and has been sitting for a few hours, it may go down as low as 3/4 of a tank. But as soon as you start it, it will go back up to full again.

Second, sometimes when I come to a stop, I can hear a light sounding clunk sound coming from the back. Also, I have heard a loud clunk come from the front left side of the car when I am coming to a stop on occasion, but this doesn't happen very often at all.

Third, when the car shifts from 1st to 2nd, it sounds like something is squealing from the back of the van. It isn't very loud and only last when the car is shifting from those two gears.

Forth, when I'm going over 60 MPH, there is a groaning noise coming from the right side of the car and the steering wheel vibrates. It does this so bad that sometimes the dash board starts to make a buzzing noise. If I was going 60 MPH down a road, and there was a curve to the right, the vibration and the groaning noise will stop while I'm in the turn. I'm guessing that this would be from a bad wheel bearing?

[bsoswald]

Your fuel guage problem is the sender located on top of the gas tank. Unfortunately, the tank must be taken down to get to the problem. It could be quite costly as our van did the same thing but did it while still under warranty.

[theskiguy]

Unbelievable... I have a 97 Astro as well and have problems 1 & 2. It really makes me wonder about Chevy...

[tableman]

I have a 1996 Astro that had that same clunk noise when coming to a stop at times. I traced it back to a bad rear brake cylinder. The one piston in the cylinder is ceased so when the brake fluid pressure is applied all the fluid pushes on the movable piston cause that brake shoe to be pushed to far forward, causing the clunk noise when it comes flying back because the spring is over stretched.

Your grinding noise is defintely a wheel bearing.