Noise from the Shocks?

[hassanbigboss]

Hey guys I have a 2004 Chrysler T&C. Recently I have been hearing a knocking noise from the front of the car near the shocks area specially when driving over uneven patchs on the road. I noticed that the noise reduced or went away on a warm day but on a cold day I can definately hear it and I am annoyed by it. I dont know what to do.... any Ideas?

[neon_rt]

Mine do that too.
The shocks and struts on these (any vehicle actually) have a 35-50K mile lifespan. I usually change mine about every 40K or so. I live on a very crooked country road, so having worn out shocks is not an option.
If you only want to replace them once, you can have KONI struts and shocks installed. They are adjustable, so you can customize your ride and they usually outlast the vehicle.

[hassanbigboss]

Thank you very much I will definately change them because I have about 41000 miles on my car already and I use it to travel almost everywhere.

[EVH5150]

My 94 Caravan had that problem during cold temperatures, and now my 2005 Kia Sedona sorta has that clunk in cold temperatures. I'm guessing that the bushings on the suspension either shrink somewhat or stiffen up in the cold causing that clunk.

[dbfordtech]

I would save your money on the struts, and
replace the sway bar links AND BUSHINGS.
The bushings on your van are a very common
problem. At the dealership I work in, at least one tech will replace a set of links and bushings every day!!

[nipsirc]

I have the same (knocking noise and creaking on the front of the van, seems like coming from under the flooring) problem however mine is the opposite. When it is cold like today, it does not emit any sound at all. When it's normal warm or hot weather, then that's when it's noisy.

Changing the struts are way expensive... so would changing the "sway bar links AND BUSHINGS" do it?

[dbfordtech]

You can always remove the sway bar links and go for a road test,
if the noise is gone, you found the trouble.

[hassanbigboss]

Thank you guys. I will look into this problem closely

[hassanbigboss]

Thank you guys. I will look into this problem closely

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by hassanbigboss

Hey guys I have a 2004 Chrysler T&C. Recently I have been hearing a knocking noise from the front of the car near the shocks area specially when driving over uneven patchs on the road. I noticed that the noise reduced or went away on a warm day but on a cold day I can definately hear it and I am annoyed by it. I dont know what to do.... any Ideas?

could be anything , below is some TSB's for something like this.

Make : CHRYSLER Model : TOWN AND COUNTRY Year : 2004
Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Service Bulletin Num : 0200305 Date of Bulletin: MAR 16, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10013699
Component: SUSPENSION
Summary:
RATTLE/KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *SC
Check to Request Research. Submit below.



Make : CHRYSLER Model : TOWN AND COUNTRY Year : 2004
Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Service Bulletin Num : 0200403 Date of Bulletin: FEB 24, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10003978
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT
Summary:
MUFFLED RATTLE SOUND FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. 2004 VOYAGER INCLUDED. *TT

[RIP]

neon rt ---- Change the struts at 40K miles? That must be one lousy country road you live on. I've got a 96GC pushin 180K that still has the original struts and we've got pretty bad roads out here in the desert. I changed the rear shocks at 150K because they were cuping the tires. Still rides great and no noises. Maybe my van is blessed. I've also got an 87 Camry with 280K miles on it. Changed the struts at 225K miles.

hassanbigboss ---- Not that the struts couldn't be bad, I'd go with dbfordtech and get the bushings looked at first. Please follow up and give us all the fix.

[hassanbigboss]

I will be getting the problem fixed pretty soon. As soon as I find out what the problem is I will post the solution under this post so everyone may know how I got it fixed.

[hassanbigboss]

I found the problem I was having with my car. The mechanic showed me the problem and what happend was that the steering arms had leaked which were producing the thumping noise I heard. And again thank you guys for all the help.

[RIP]

h... Thanks for the followup response. Don't think we thought of the steering gear causing that. We learned something. Cheers!

[neon_rt]

My gauge on when to change the struts and shocks is my wife and daughter. When they start getting car sick, I replace the shocks and struts and we are good for another 35-50K miles. If the suspension is not firm and controlled they get car sick. The road is rough and very crooked, we typically drive it at 60-70 mph until we reach the edge of town. As soon as the initial firmness of the shocks/struts wears down to where we get some bouncing and body roll, I start looking to change them. I have found that adding a after market rear sway bar actually extends the amount of miles between changes. On our other 2000 GC, I had the front springs replaced with HD springs from a CG cargo van with the load package and added a Helwig rear sway bar. That made the CG handle like a dream. That Van was totalled and we got another '00 CG, I'm ordering ADDCO front and rear sway bars for it today. It will get new struts and shocks this weekend.