Tip & How-To about Dodge Grand Caravan

Power Steering Noise Grand Caravan & Town & Country

2001-2007 Models Do you hear your power steering wining. Been to the dealer saying "Its the pump going bad"......"System needs to be flushed, fluid is dirty" & my favroite "Your rack is bad". Folks 90% of the problems is the power steering reservoir filter. To change this filter you have to change the reservoir. The reservoir has 2 hoses attached to it, one small(return line), one large(exit/feed line). When the fluid returns to the reservoir through the small line into the reservoir & through the filter, back into the system. Filters get cloged. To change you will need. One NEW Reservoir $28 Chrysler Part # 4743012AA , buy this first looking at it explains alot. 2qts ATF 4 $11 to change the fluid in the system. Socket set with 6mm to 10mm & 4in extension, 1 channel lock to remove clamps on lines, flat head screwdriver. Old towels or rags, 1 turkey baster $1, 1 paint nipple or small ballon to fit over the small return line opening on the new reservoir(SEE PART #2!!!), 1 old clear washer fliud jug. To remove the reservoir sitting right on top to the drivers side. You will need a 2nd person for PART #2. Run car 10 min. to warm up the fluid & get it pumping through the system. Shut car off, put towels around the reservoir. Remove cap throw away. Using the turkey baster remove as much of the fluid as you can. Remove & slide the clamps back out of the way 6in. Remove lines fluid will come out of the lines. Remove the 2 bolts from the mounting bracket( DO NOT LOSE). Snap or cut the clip holding the 2 cable on the front of the reservoir. Looking at the new reservoir see the slot on the bottom, theres a 10mm bolt underneath. Use 10mm & extension, loosen the bolt only. Remove reservoir. When putting new one on DON"T PUT the RETURN LINE ON. Part #2 New reservoir in place???? Everything tight ,but not over tightened?? Remove some of the towels except under the return line area. Using the paint nipple place over the return line opening on the reservoir, this is important that the system retains presure. Smash the old washer fluid jub to place into the engine compartment up near the reservoir, DON'T LET TOUCH THE EXHAUST. Place the return line in the jug. Fill the reservoir to the top, but not into the neck. Place cap on reservoir. With a 2nd person starting the car for 3 or 4 seconds. Window or door open so they can hear you say "shut it off". Watch the fluid level drop in the reservoir, DON"T LET IT RUN EMPTY!!!! Holding the jug when doing this the old fluid will pump out of the system into the jug, you will be able to see this with the clear jug.. Repeat untill 1qt of fluid has been added to the reservoir & pumped through the system. Remove jug from car, empty the fluid into the empty AFT 4 bottle. Put jug back into place, repeat the Fill/Start/Shut off. Is the fluid running clean REAL RED into the jug, if not repeat till it runs RED. Remove paint nipple place line on quickly. Put clamp into place. Fill the reservoir to the top fill line. Remove all towels. Start the van, check the fluid level.Fill if needed. To bleed the system of any air that might have gotten in, with the car running turn the wheel all the way to one side & then the other without hitting the stops do this about 10 times. Check for leaks. Check fluid level. Your done clean up mess. Hope all your noise has gone away..... 2003 Grand Caravan ES by Chris

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My 2007 TC has 27k miles. The dealer says the power steering fluid is dirty and needs to be exchanged.How is this possible?

That is the dumbest thing I have heard, most cars go their whole life without even checking the power steering fluid. I have never heard of anybody changing it, and never heard of it being dirty. But your car is brand new, and the dealer must be on drugs. But who am I ? Why would he say that anyway? Is the steering giving you trouble? Pump making noise? Leaking?
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wine in power steering, I put in new fan belt, power steering pump, new rack

The wine will be there until the fluid bleeds out all the air.If it does not,then have the power steering pump replaced again,and be sure to flush the system with a good power steering flush.But the remanufatured pump is most likely the problem.The pump had a flaw that the rebuilder didn`t see.Do make sure the lines are not kinked anywhere.
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power steering problem

You might want to do a thorough power steering system flush....usually big dealers have the proper equipment to do so versus small shops or aftermarket shops. They pour a cleaner into the system, run the car while syphoning and refilling spontaniously. The reason your pump is going is probably having metallic debris floating around from your previously damaged pumps OR its being starved of proper lubrication OR the air is not being thoroughly bled out of the power steering system.
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1983 coupe deville powersteering wineing

you might have just gotten your lines crossed backwards when you do a steering pump with line change out the fluid doesnt stay with the steering gear box
start vehicle after filling the pwsp.
turn wheels both directions for at least a minute with pwsp. cap off watch the fluid if lowers then its going to gear box where its required to stay the wineing is something the box does when its brand new it has to broken in like shoes propper fluid is a plus
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