Front end suspension on dodge caravan
Now, it makes a clunking sound on bumpy roads so I'm guessing the struts are shot. I got a quote for having them replaced, about $800 dollars. What I want to know is am I going to do a lot more damage if I just keep driving it like that or should I get it fixed right away? I am going to get it fixed, but I'd rather have it done next month... I just don't know if it will cause more damage for one and for two, is it dangerous? Will it suddenly snap on me on some major highway or something? |
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Well, I do know that the struts went out on my sons Mazda car and I had to pay a towing fee.  Yes, they can suddenly break on you, but it SHOULDN'T cause you to have an accident or anything, you will just stop rolling.  |
| it could be the struts or the cv joints....if its the cv joints, you could actually do more damage by driving it...AND will cost more money to repair... |
| From my own knowledge of cars, which admittedly is more to do with older vehicles (classic cars etc) and from what I've found on the web, it does sound like struts. Apparently it's a common problem in these vans too....
It's also a little bit wishful thinking because if it's ball joints or something it will be worse... |
Darcy wrote: it could be the struts or the cv joints....if its the cv joints, you could actually do more damage by driving it...AND will cost more money to repair...
You'll hear the CV joint noise most when you turn, kind of like a rapping or banging. It won't cost you anymore to drive it until it dies but then when it does, you really are stuck and you''ll have to be towed. A CV joint is kind of a fun explosion-- at least in older cars, I know the ball bearings from the joint come blasting out and you lose all steering and shifting capability. Struts you can totally do without but keep in mind if you hit a major bump on a blown strut in the front, it can come exploding out the top of the strut tower since you've lost all your cushioning. I delivered pizza for almost 10 years and ran cars into the ground. I got very good at letting things go unless it literally impeded me from doing my job. For anything suspension related though, if it's a car you're toting your kids around, I'd get it fixed. There's not much in suspension that goes peacefully! |
ButtersStotch wrote: A CV joint is kind of a fun explosion-- at least in older cars, I know the ball bearings from the joint come blasting out and you lose all steering and shifting capability. That sounds nasty.... especially if I'm driving 140 down a highway...hmmm... I just put in a request for a quote on a new one if I trade this one in LOL |
| coming from a mechanic filled family...
if you just had front end worked on in the past few months.. and its acting up again.. its time to get a new vehicle and not repair what you currently have. When things like suspensions n stuff start going it affects other systems and costs start mounting up and you basically end up with a new car anyways.. |
| OK, there are LOTS of things that could rattle in a front end. You need a trusted mechanic to tell you which.
The brake pads could be rattling, and a 59 cent spring could fix it. Tie rod ends could be worn. Stabilizer Link ends could be broken. You could have a stone in the hubcap. Bearings could be worn. Ball joints might simply need lubrication. A failure of a CV joint shouldn't cause loss of steering, they are different systems. The CV joint is part of the drive train. |
Ron wrote: A failure of a CV joint shouldn't cause loss of steering, they are different systems. The CV joint is part of the drive train.
I should've been more clear. How about lack of going? I basically meant that if it breaks, you really aren't going to be able to move the car too easily! |
| We had a series of 3 Dodge/Plymouth vans. I know I replaced the struts on at least one - I think the middle one. We were planning a big trip, and fixed it before anything went wrong. I remember it was spendy, but we never had any problems after that.
We were always pretty loaded - kids, dogs, exchange students, tons of cousins, -you name it! I figure we were hard on the suspension, plus we live on a gravel road!! |
Ron wrote: OK, there are LOTS of things that could rattle in a front end. You need a trusted mechanic to tell you which.
The brake pads could be rattling, and a 59 cent spring could fix it. Tie rod ends could be worn. Stabilizer Link ends could be broken. You could have a stone in the hubcap. Bearings could be worn. Ball joints might simply need lubrication. A failure of a CV joint shouldn't cause loss of steering, they are different systems. The CV joint is part of the drive train. I'm pretty sure it's the struts. I might be wrong, but I doubt it. |
| Ok |
| If you go bounce the front end of the van by pressing down on the bumper or hood hard, it should stop bouncing pretty close to immediately. If it bounces up and down a couple times, the struts are bad and do need to be replaced. Not only will your ride be greatly improved, bad struts can cause uneven tire wear which costs more $$$$$$. Struts worn out this way, usually do not make noise, they just ride bad.
If they do not bounce excessively and are only clunking, the rubber bushing in the top in just worn and not as big a deal, just annoying. These bushings do not come with new struts and have to be purchased seperately. If your struts seem good, you may just be able to have the top bushing/bearing replaced and get rid of your noise. If this noise started after they worked on your front end, I would take it back and have them take a look. The endlinks, if left loose could also be causing the clunking. $800 just for the struts seems a little high. If it includes the new tops with bushings and the alignment, it is about right. Maybe this helps. Eric |
| Thanks Eric, very helpful reply.
It does still ride fairly smooth, just the clunking so maybe it is the bushings not the whole strut. I'll try pushing down on the bumper and see what happens. The 800 did not include bushings it only included struts, labor, mounts and alighnment. It did start shortly after they worked on it... and I have to wonder too because this particular garage is known for screwing people over LOL If there is the slightest thing wrong they will recommend you fix it and make it sound dire whether it is or not. For any of you Canadians, it's Canadian Tire aka Crappy Trash.... I'm sure you know what I mean. LOL Anyway, if there had been too much wear on the struts, I'm sure CT would have mentioned it... or at least I think they would have. |
| They may be calling mounts what I am calling bushings. There is a plate that you can see under your hood where the top of the strut bolts. The plate is usually about 4-6 inches in diameter and has 2-4 bolts holding it in place. In the center of the plate is where the top of the struts comes through and bolts. Some cars actually have a bearing in there and most have bushings. I am pretty sure you have to replace that entire part as an assembly and it is probably a part that only comes from a dealer.
When that bushing gets worn in the center it allows the strut to float around inside, causing the clunk. You may want to find somewhere else to take it and have it checked. Loose front end parts are never a good idea. They may have even missed something that could be a more serious problem. The bushings for the struts are not that serious, at least I have never seen one come completely apart. If they missed a bad ball joint or tie rod, it could be disasterous if that were to fail going down the road. Good Luck! We just want you to be safe! |
| The other people posting have some good points, something to consider, though, is that if it is the top bearing or top bearing plate then it could cause the steering to lock up, either in center off center position, causing loss of control.
This bearing or bushing allows the struts to pivot in the top mount, for steering and to a lesser extent torsion during compression of the spring coils. If it is the top bearing then something you might notice is difficulty in steering, some resistance or requiring hard pressure to make it turn, mostly at a stop or very low speeds. This is binding within the bearing. Was the work just done recently replacement of the power steering pump or rack and pinion? This is a secondary effect of the wear in the bearing. Increased pressure required for steering means increased pressure on all steering components and excessive wear. |
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