Lou (65.170.176.212) - Mon Oct 20 07:15:37 2008

2005 grand caravan. Thumping coming form front end on passenger side. I've read about sway bar bushings and linkage being a problem. But I checked underneath a dozen times. EVERYTHING is tight.I see no problems. Is there a way to check sway bar? Could it be strut? Any help would be appreciated. Another thing - it seems to be worse when cold outside or when first starting in the morning.

Reply #1 Larry (72.36.14.116) - Mon Dec 22 17:19:38 2008

My '05 Grand does the same thing. Recently had it on the rack while putting on new tires. We inspected everything that could possibly make noise, including the exhaust system. Nothing out of order. The tire shop owner said he has had several like that in his shop and has never been able to figure out the cause of the noise. Doesn't seem to hurt steering, alignment or braking, however. I guess you just go with it until something breaks, and hopefully not in a bad way causing injury!

Reply #2 lowtech (204.210.191.125) - Thu Jan 22 11:39:56 2009

You usually aren't able to check the swaybar end links without first removing them from the strut and/or swaybar. This is a common problem with Dodge FWD vehicles. If you allow the noise to continue for any period of time, you are just asking to spend more money whereas the other components in the front end have to absorb all the shock the defective part is producing. This would be similar to beating on all of your suspension and steering components with a hammer, eventually other parts follow suite.

The fool-proof way to find out if it is infact an endlink is to disconnect it from the strut and ziptie it to the chassy or steel break line (not the rubber hose). Drive it arount the block, hit a couple of bumps. If the noise is gone, you can then assume with reasonable confidence that the endlinks are bad.

The problem with trying to check them while they're on the vehicle, attached at all points, is that the swaybar continually has tension on these parts. Removal for inspection is almost necessary for these parts and will save you a lot of headache and keep your wallet fat.

If any of you are in the Youngstown, Ohio area, give me a call. 330-406-0794 LowTech

• LowTech

Reply #3 Lowtech (204.210.191.125) - Thu Jan 22 11:50:45 2009

You can also join my forum. Although still in the works, it will be automotive related and I will be posting repairs and giving advise.

I am a master tech 3 times over including european, import, and domestic and my shop works on them all. We are the only facility in the area where dealers send us cars their own technicians can't figure out. We also work closely with manufactures to solve problems for car owners.

• http://LowTech.forumotion.com

Reply #4 Mike (24.36.194.238) - Fri Feb 6 13:05:42 2009

You might want to check where that stabilizer bar passes along in front of the firewall. When I bought my 2001 Grand Caravan it had that thumping noise when going over bumps & holes. It was suggested to me, and as near as I can see, it may be the rubber mounts wearing out in the brackets where it fastens to the firewall. I've had it 4 years and doesn't seem to get any worse. More of a nuisance than anything.

Reply #5 Lynette (168.223.187.36) - Tue Feb 10 13:13:55 2009

My 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan makes a loud noise when it is cold outside. I don't know if it is the power steering fluid level low. I get the oil changed on time a my local Dodge company and they say that they check the fluid levels and do a 23 pt. inspections. I don't know why, but the van makes a loud noise when it is cold outside. How do I know that it is not my power train? Please Help! The problem stops after driving for about 10 minutes, so it is never doing it when I get to the Dealer for inspection.

Reply #6 Matthew Apgar (66.169.107.83) - Wed Feb 25 13:51:03 2009

Guys my 2001 grand caravan has made front end noise for 5 years. have looked at every thing. AND A 12 DOLLAR PAIR OF SWAY BAR BUSHINGS FIXED THE PROBLEM.!!!!!!!!!!!!! They look fine until you remove them and they were ovel not round. letting it move.

Spend a little more and get the polyurathing bushing. Auto zone and orileys have them for 12 dollers take about two hours to change.NO problem

Reply #7 Lyle (173.18.45.129) - Sat Mar 21 17:52:54 2009

Hello all,

I have a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan and it has been making a thumping sound in the front end whenever we go over a bump. I have replaced the sway bar links and the sway bar bushings and the noise is still there. It seems to be connected somehow to the steering system. Have any of you had to replace the tie rod ends or the rack and pinion systems? Any other thoughts?

Reply #8 Jason (131.6.84.110) - Thu Apr 9 15:51:04 2009

I've had the thumping problem too with my 2006 Grand Carvan. I'll check into those bushings. I also have a humming (hard to describe the sound but it's kind of "harmonic" if that makes sense) coming from what seems like my breaks. I had the breaks checked and the front rotors and pads changed but that didn't fix it. It seems to happen after I break hard. Anyone else experience something like this? Any ideas on what this could be?

Reply #9 Tim Arndt (209.181.253.153) - Wed Apr 29 13:34:36 2009

Got a 2000 Grand Caravan. Both left and right links let loose. The sway bar is resting on the frame. I have 2 new links and sway bar bushings. Only problem now is I can't for the life of me get the topside nut undone on the upper portion of the link. Also, I have the vehicle up on jack stands with tires off for easy access. For safety reasons though, I would feel more comfortable and think it would be better to use ramps but then is the access more difficult to the upper portions of the links? Any help would be great. Got new parts itchin' to be put in!

Reply #10 Sam (80.154.28.93) - Sat May 2 03:01:06 2009

I own a 2007 dodge grand caravan. At slower speeds, I hear a "popping" type noise coming from the left front end of the vehicle, possibly from a suspension componet. It usually happens as I am turning and only once or twice on each turn. I've had it in, but like always, the shop cannot duplicate the noise and they said all parts are tight. Again, the noise if more of a "pop" or "snap" than an mechanical "clunck". Any ideas of what it could be?

Reply #11 laura (72.200.205.153) - Tue May 26 12:16:44 2009

I also had the humming noise that was worse when it was cold and extremely loud when I turned. We replaced the power steering pump and it fixed the problem. I also have the thumping sound and cant find the problem but will try replacing the sway bar bushings.

Reply #12 Ed (71.189.19.146) - Tue Jun 2 05:45:50 2009

I have a 98 Grand Caravan. I was experiencing intermittent clunk

type noise under the front end. The van drove smooth and quiet most of the time. I couldn't pinpoint the location. Eventually I started to hear a whinning noise that got louder when turning.

It turned out to be the front wheel bearings. The clunking and popping noise was the bearings rolling over eachother. They would fall back into position and the noise would go away. By the time I started to hear the whinning sound, the whells was noticeably loose. I relaced both front hub assemblies. Problem fixed. My van has over 143, 000 miles on it. I wouldn't expect a newer van with a lot less miles to have bad bearings in the hub.

Reply #13 Phil (70.78.87.231) - Sun Jun 7 15:53:37 2009

I have a 2001 Grand Caravan

I have same thumping under front end issue. I have replaced sway bar bushes which I feel is only part of the problem.

I have just been looking at side engine mount which is at front of vehicle, this has cracks in rubber and and sitting low in mount. This could be part of thumping issue

Reply #14 Trish (98.229.212.184) - Wed Jul 1 12:48:14 2009

I just had my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan in for repair for the constant thumping and rattling in the front end. They replaced the sway bar bushings. It was noise free for a whole 6 days and when I went out today the noise is LOUDER than before. Driving me crazy. Hate noises. This van has been in the shop more than it has been in my driveway.

Reply #15 gclark (64.18.116.156) - Wed Jul 8 19:23:51 2009

We have a 1999 dodge grand caravan with 158, 000 miles, power stearing, power brakes, power windows and locks. . we have had it in and out of 3 shops with all of them telling us something different with the front end thumping or making some kind of disturbing noise. especially when we take off or slow down and sometimes when we turn. the noise is coming from underneath and somewhat on the passager side front end. we have replaced the struts, replaced the cv busings, the bushing for the wheel and replaced the motor mount piece. still making the same noise before we spent a ton of money and time fixing the van back. we also took the axles both sides and had them checked. they said they were fine. can someone please help with ideas or answers before i beat this dodge. Thanks greatly

Reply #16 josh (24.247.79.52) - Wed Aug 19 13:24:09 2009

For everyone's information...

Grinding Noise coming from the wheels = Bad wheel bearing/hub

• Wheel Bearings & Hubs

Reply #17 Jennifer (68.59.88.39) - Sat Sep 19 00:32:12 2009

I just bought a 01 Grand Caravan and it has a rattle in the front end near the passenger side and worse when it put in grear. Also the gas needle sometimes just floats from full to empty to full again. HELP

Reply #18 Ray (67.164.23.152) - Sun Sep 20 20:42:44 2009

I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT that makes a loud humming noise after driving at highway speeds over ~65mph. I don't have this problem when I'm driving in city traffic (the van is quiet). When I exit from the freeway that's when the loud humming sound comes in especially when I step on the gas. The humming sound stops when I shut off the engine (meaning it's gone when I turn the engine on again and go). Anybody knows what this problem is? I don't think this is bad but it's been really annoying.

Reply #19 Scott (99.137.4.252) - Fri Sep 25 08:03:06 2009

Just had my 2007 Grand Caravan in for services prior to the 36, 000 mile warranty running out. Thumping from underneath vehicle was one of my complaints. I thought it had to do with the low hanging exhaust system (have stow and go). Here is what they did:

"Replaced Front Inner Sway Bar Bushings"

Hope this helps.

PS. They also had to replace both front tie rod ends and flash the computer for transmission issues. Van only has 32, 000 miles on it???

Reply #20 Patti (74.36.191.189) - Thu Oct 15 15:03:42 2009

I have the same thumping noise in the front end of my 01 dodge caravan too. I just took it to the shop the checked everything in the front and cant find anything wrong. They said everything is tight.

Reply #21 Steve (138.163.106.72) - Wed Oct 28 12:08:26 2009

Howdy! 2004 Chrysler town and country...I had the same thunk coming from the passenger side and found a broken (!!!) sway bar link. It had sheared right in half. I replaced it without too much trouble.

Now the noise comes from my driver's side floorboards!

I'll be checking the sway bar bushings today and probably replacing them this weekend.

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