I have a 2002 Grand Caravan AWD and I think the fron torsion bar just broke. One end is rubbing the axle shaft one the left side (the knuckle of the link bar actually) and the right appears in the normal position.
How can I secure this until I get home - 2 hours away! It let go while exiting the highway for the hotel. All garages seem to be closed for the weekend!
It seems to handle fine,Ijust don'y want the rubbing on the axle.
What can I do?
RickMN
07-07-2007, 12:19 AM
Is the sway bar broken or did the end link break off of the sway bar connection? I'm betting the end link broke. These are constant problems on these vans. But they're not that expensive ($40 for the part and less than 1/2 shop labor) if you can get it into a shop for a quick repair. If the end link broke, you're kinda screwed. Wire won't hold. If the sway bar itself broke, then you might be able to wire it to the end link. You'll feel the most sway bar action on turns, so take them very slowly, avoid shifting body weight in turns.
gbucz
07-07-2007, 08:28 AM
It is the sway bar that broke. The end links are fine but the left one is bent in toward the axle. I suspect the bar broke spirally and the two ends are still in contact so every turn they twist against each other.
Thanks for the advice about the turns - would not have thought it controlled that much in the turns.
I am hoping to bend the end link out war and away from the axle pulling the two pieces apart. I'll let you know what I get accomplished.
gbucz
07-07-2007, 11:21 PM
The bar is broke but as I was hitting the end link to bend it broke free from the bar. I managed to pull the bar out about an inch and it seems to have helped.
When I get home is the sway bar a DIY project or are certain tools/equipment needed. I am quite competent (racing and repairing chevy circle track cars) but the van has a lot of cast aluminum things under there. I would hate to make the repair while damaging other stuff.
RickMN
07-08-2007, 06:42 PM
This is definitely a DIY project. Disconnect the end links. Then disconnect the sway bar bushing retainers. The whole bar should drop down. The retainers are held in by two bolts. Hardest part of whole job will be disconnecting the end links.
gbucz
07-08-2007, 10:58 PM
Thanks for the DIY info. I am home now and the van handled fine. Since it was not a dangerous ride I'll take it all apart in the mornings. That way I can to see if I need bushings as well.
I will try to order a new bar and end links tomorrow.
Gbucz
gbucz
07-24-2007, 09:41 PM
What a royal pain!! I got a bar, bushings and end links. There is a steel frame work under there making it almost impossible to thread the bar through. The nuts on the bushing retainers were not SAE. I went and got the metric ratcheting wrenches from Sears.
The endlinks were a pain also as there was nothing to grip on the ball side. A torch would have been better. The replacement links did have a hex nut surface to hold while I tightened the nut.
Now that it is fixed the ride is much nicer and quieter than before. Thanks for the answers and encouragement.
