Another weird caravan noise.....

[jkdon]

Hi

I have an 05 shorty sxt 3.3 caravan with 40,000 miles on. I really love this vehicle but I have never driven anything that has more whining and groaning. anyways this issue I am having is possibly power steering related like all the other posts but it goes like this. cruising down the road a slight ringing almost ear piercing whining occurs not real loud but you definitely notice it and know I turn the radio up louder so I don't here it. Its not that consistent and doesn't really change with rpm but the second you let off the gas it stops, and as soon as you touch the gas pedal it starts again. I can't figure it out and all the dealerships tell you on the phone is must need a ps. flush for 150 and oh yea the steering rack needs replacement for 900. I listened to all you guys on the other posts and did have the whining in cold weather replaced the reservoir and that whining is cured. thanks you save me some cash there but this noise is driving me crazy. this thing is like brand new just makes this horrible noise

any ideas would greatly be appreciated
thanks
jkdon

[RIP]

Can you duplicate it sitting in your driveway? Front or back of the van? Is the surpentine accessory belt tensioner working? Start it up and watch it. It should bounce slightly.

You can change your own power steering fluid with a turkey baister. Just suck the fluid from the reservoir. Refill. Drive it around a few minutes. Now repeat the process 3-4 times. Not sure about 05s but some vans have filter screens in the reservoir that get clogged and create a squeal.

A worst case scenario would be a cracked or worped flex plate in the tranny. Not extremely common put I've read a thread or two about it in the last months.

[Anaudiophile]

Kinda sounds like the transfer gears inside the transmission. They normally whine at highway speeds, but not so loud that it's obvious.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by jkdon

any ideas would greatly be appreciated
thanks
jkdon

Oh really! We would greatly appreciate an update or the fix.

[Anaudiophile]

I had an early 90's Plymouth Acclaim with the same transmission and had quite a loud transfer gear whine. I had success changing the gears out with a new set, however they aren't a matched pair. Therefore it took a couple tries to get two together that were quiet.
That said I know the type of tooth is now different ( helical ? ). A parts supplier or dealer should be able to tell you if the new gears are a matched pair!
Of course, it wouldn't hurt to remove the trans. pan and check for any abnormal amounts/sizes of metal pieces or brass in the pan also.

[tells1977]

I am having the same problem with my Caravan. Did you happen to get this issue resolved?