2001 Caravan clunking

[Jetta545]

I have a 2001 Caravan Sport there is noise in the front end while drving slow with the windows down you here a clunking noise from the from end when hitting bump. I know there was a recall on the front end control arm could this be the problem? I brought it to the dealer they said that it is up to date on recalls.

[mobil_12]

Caravans are known for their front sway bar links and strut mounts going bad. These will make noise over bumps but in a different way. If it makes noise going over bumps while turning (hitting the bump one wheel at a time) then its probably mounts. If it makes noise hitting bumps straight on then it could be both. Best line of attack: if you got more then 60k on it, replace the struts, strut mounts and the links all at the same time. The mounts are part of the strut assembly and the links are attached to it.

[Rainman1967]

Originally Posted by Jetta545

I have a 2001 Caravan Sport there is noise in the front end while drving slow with the windows down you here a clunking noise from the from end when hitting bump. I know there was a recall on the front end control arm could this be the problem? I brought it to the dealer they said that it is up to date on recalls.

I had this same problem with mine. I took it to the dealer while it was under extended warranty, and they replace the front end control arms along with the nuts and bolts on lower control arm. The took over a week because they didn't have the parts, and it still cost me a hundred dollars for the deductable. A month later the noise was back.

After taking it to a Mechanic friend he jacked it up and told me that the bushing in the right front sway bar was gone. That was clunk I heard. He told me not to put off replacing this bushing, because without this bushing you put more strain on the steering rack, which can be pretty expensive to replace if it goes bad. Anyway, I easily replace these and the noise was gone.

Check this first, because the OEM bushing is actually split so it can be slid over the bar for easy replacement, but it can also break there. I bought aftermarket (under $20) that have to be slid on the bar from the ends, and I haven't had a problem since. Man...and you wonder why we have to have these auto forms. You can't trust the service you get at the dealers today.

[Parky50]

Look's like I'm the next sway arm "bushing" victim...

Hey Rainman1967 (if your still watching this thread) where did you find the aftermarket bushings? Sounds like a more "long-term" fix.

Thanks !!!

[glockuser]

I have a 2002 GC with 75000 miles. Was clunking around 45k and dealer said it wasn't warranty. Our mechanic told us it wasn't a huge deal. It's still clunking and now our rack and pinion is going out. Probably as a result of the stabilizer bar. I'm making a plan for the repairs now. If I had more info on the stabilizer bushings I might could pull that off. Will probably leave the rack and pinion for the dealer.

Any info or experiences?

[RahX]

a rack going out and the sway bar knocking around arent related. those racks go out qutie a bit on their own. the bushings arent too big of a deal and do em both at the same time. take the bolt and bracket out that hold the bushings on the bar and against teh firewall. the brackets come off so dont freak out. peel the old bushings off and match em up one at a time to the new ones. lube the inner of the bushing up and lube the sway bar too. slide it on, get it in place and get both brackets started after youve gotten both bushings on. just watch for the bushing sitting right against teh bracket and the flat side going against the firewall properly. otherwise its a breeze should only take about 30 mins if youre moving slow.