Help me out fellas...Noise in Front End 2005 Chrysler T&C

[Jack2sam]

I recently bought a 2005 T&C from a local dealer. I spoke with the original owner who happen to use it to run accross three states so 99% highway mileage at 117,000 not a door ding one due to being onthe road constantly. Original owner 61 years of age so really no dogging the van. He worked as a sales person for oil company had oil changed ever 5000 miles an used synthetic oil. It is fully loaded touring vehicle. Thought it was a sweet deal at $9K.....(dealer wanted to get rid of it). I have noticed four things wrong with the van.
1) backup sensor doesnt work (minor)
2)airbag light on sometimes off most of time on (minor as compared to the major issue I have with it)
3)Low pitch roaring noise on right side like air in a windtunnel (minor)
4)which leads me to a noisy front end a knocking noise and car pulls to left (alignment possibly). I will replace struts if it is a very good possibility that they are bad but I don't see how driving on level high way for 117,000 mile would degrade these struts that much. I also have a 2001 dodge grand caravan with 150,000 miles on it and never have had to replace the struts. The T&C struts are not leaking and it passes the bounce test. I had it in to a fly by night national tire service franchise and they said stuts appeared tp be good. They also checked sway bar no problems. What other items could it be? Also can any one tell me how to replace the struts on this van? I believe it will be a nice vehicle once I replace the struts. Any input on the other problems would be appreciative as well.

Thank you for your time.

[vipergg]

It is probably due overdue for struts ,bounce test reallyh isn't a great test by the time they actually bounce they are totally shot . you will be surprised what a difference new shocks and struts make . Also have them change the strut bearings when they do it . When these get bad they can make a knocking or clunking sound.

[usmailman956]

my 01 voyager had a knocking in front end even though it looked fine and the sway bar looked fine. replaced swaybar links and swaybar bushings and noise went away. dealer and tire shop told me strut mounts were bad. obviously not since no more noise.bushings were about 9 dollars and used links were 40 dollars for both, took about 2 hours to do work on my driveway

[pentabob]

jack2sam,
have to agree 100% with usmailman, same with my van, the bushings may not look bad UNTIL you get them out! dont pass on the possibility of a tie rod end either, they will give a similar sound. would at least inspect these areas pretty close before going for struts
good luck,
bob

[Stretch58]

As far as the air noise, I would lift the hood and look for anything out of place, rear hood gasket, A/C inlet screwed up, etc. Look for any broken plastic up front near the radiator, and if the air dam is screwed up.

[mishalah]

Originally Posted by Stretch58

As far as the air noise, I would lift the hood and look for anything out of place, rear hood gasket, A/C inlet screwed up, etc. Look for any broken plastic up front near the radiator, and if the air dam is screwed up.

And if you find something out of place or disconnected causing the air noise, combine that with the front end noise and wander and you probably have a van that's been hit in the front end. Better do some serious inspection of everything underneath including subframe and connectors. Get a bodyman to look at it.

If it's just worn suspension you can start with sway bar links and tie rod ends (does the noise come when turning the wheel?), look closely at the ball joints, test the CV joint/axles (start quickly in both forward and reverse and see if you get a metallic clunk...can also be done with the brake on by tapping the throttle enough to engage the axles firmly), test struts by finding a parking lot with speed bumps and drive over them at various speeds (even at 20mph they should still feel firm and not let the suspension "slam" when coming down off the bump).

BTW: $9500 is wholesale KBB for a 2005 T&C with "only" 117K miles....especially if it's a loaded model (no leather or power pass.seat). What's the title read?