We have had it about a year. Since we got it there was a slight groaning in the power steering, like when the fluid is low. Once our mechanic flushed it and made it go away for a few months.
After a few months the groaning returned, louder.
My mechanic put on a new NAPA ps pump. No Change. At first he said it was air in the system and it would probably work its way out. Now three weeks later it seems worse.
Seems worse in morning after driving about 10 minutes. Seems quieter when hot.
Thanks for your help
Steve the Credit Card Guy
www.creditordebit.net
vipergg
09-05-2007, 09:23 PM
We have a 2004 that has some shudder under low speed maneuvering , don't know if this is what you are experieincing . So far I have lived with it since its out of warranty . The 2007 doesn't do it , though on the 2007 I noticed they have added a power steering fluid oil to air cooler underneath , don't know if this was to alleviate some problem or what , 2004 doesn't have it .
hemidogg
09-05-2007, 09:44 PM
ok well bankcardrep1 seeign how he fluched your fluid it went away then came back. i have seen this menytimes in the dealer. what you wanna replace is the p\s pump resivor. there is a filter in the bottom of it that gets dirty and would cause the pump not to get enuf fluid causing it two moan. from what i rember the last tiem i changed on the part at dealer list is only like $16
hcmq
09-06-2007, 10:36 AM
a few things:
My 02 and 05 both have the PS cooler on the underside of the van.
could the noise be your tires? if they are under-inflated it will cause a moan if you do a lot of steering while sitting still which is very bad by the way
make sure your mechanic is using the proper fluid. 99% of non-dealer mechanics use the wrong fluids for vehicles. IE: 10w-30 instead of 5w-30, atf-3 instead of atf-4, etc If I am not mistaken these vans require ATF-3 for the power steering NOT the off the shelf generic PS fluid.
these are my thoughts on your issue
bankcardrep1
09-06-2007, 03:27 PM
Great suggestion. Thanks.
gtlou
09-07-2007, 10:05 AM
I know for my 2001 Grand Caravan, the correct power steering fluid is ATF+4.
bankcardrep1
09-12-2007, 06:24 PM
Well, took it in yesterday to a new tech. I told him what everyone here said. He looked up Tech Bullitens etc. Tells me today that the PS Pump is sucking so much fluid into the system that it drains or almost drains the resivoir, and then starts sucking air. He says the filter in bottom is not clogged. Says he has over filled the resivoir and now it is making far less noise, but still not right.
He kept it overnight to hear it cold.
No charge.
He reccommends that I take it to the dealer. Never seen one do this and cant or wont speculate as to the problem.
I will wait to drive it in am when stone cold.
If I can tolerate it now do any of you think I should try to get it fixed? Is it going to cause damage keeping it too full?
Anyone want to buy a car?
bankcardrep1
09-13-2007, 10:15 AM
Quiet as a mouse this morning. Can I leave it over full?
hcmq
09-13-2007, 12:39 PM
No you should not leave it over full.
If it was low in the first place there MUST be a leak. PS fluid does not evaporate or burn up it only leaks.
Your mechanic needs to take a closer look if he is capable and or smart enough. If the system is sucking that much there must be something wrong-DUH-with the pump or rack because it isn't normal what is happening.
Also, there were a couple PS recalls over the last few years I don't know if yours falls under it but check it out.
Why do you want to sell it for just one little issue? There isn't a brand out there that doesn't have multiple issues per model/year.
