I own a 2000 Grand Caravan Sport with a 3.3l with 105K and when the temp drops to 40F and lower, the front end makes a VERY annoying "scraping" noise when hitting dips & bumps in the road.. The only noise I can compare it to is the sound of a plastic front air dam dragging when you enter a parking lot. I've had it in to be checked twice now and they can't find anything wrong. I've had all the bushings and chassis mounts "lubed" with silicone. - nothing - struts check out - new OEM at 80K before I bought it - including pulling and re-adjusting the rubber bushings at the top of the struts (new as well at 80K). Idler arm, tie-tod, sway bar, brake mounts all check out as ok. I'm going nuts. I can't stand squeaks or leaks in ANYTHING I own. The only thing that was suggested other that turning up the radio, was replacing the front struts again. That the noise is a "valving" problem? Is this common? The noise seems to go away as outside temp warms.
Overall it's been a pretty good van after I got all the "re-occurring/wtf? " oil leaks/heating problems fixed but it's really testing my wallet and my patience.
auto_mran
12-12-2006, 08:31 AM
NO WORRIES!
I have the exact same problem on the 96 Grand Voyager (116,000+ miles) regarding the "scraping" noises, especially over speed bumps. And I, like you, have NO leaks on this puppy. It's gotta be the cold weather as my van also quiets down in the warm months.
cupsz71
12-12-2006, 08:52 AM
Appriciate the heads up. I did some other random "complaining/checking" into the problem and found that it's VERY common to caravans. I have talked to several people and found a guy who owns a 99' SE and he's had the same noise from the first time it got cold, and he bought his new! Turn'n the stereo up seems to be the my "cheapest" option. lol.
davet
12-12-2006, 10:34 AM
I had the exact same problem on my 2000. It sounded like the fender liner was rubbing on the tire when I went over dips in the road. Everything looked tight underneath but I could see where the sway bar was slipping in the frame bushings (the bar was shiny for about 1/16th inch on either side of the bushings). I sprayed them with silicone spray while kneeling alongside the front tires. The noise was gone for a day and sometimes only a half day. I replaced the bushings with $11.00/pr Napa replacements and the noise is gone. I could see where the holes were oblong in the original bushings after I took them out.
cupsz71
12-12-2006, 11:47 AM
I took the van to a "Front-End" Allignment shop last week and they didn't find anything, but I'll take a closer look at the area you mentioned and see what's up. Thanks for the info!!
