Front end Clunk

[kiwimex]

I have a clunking noise in my front end 97GC,i have just replaced tie rods and ends, going over speed humps i dont get and noise at all but going over small or slight pot holes i get a clunking noise on both sides of the van. if i go over a speed bump at an angle and get the van to rock i get the clucking noise as well. i can also feel the clunk through the pedals, (which makes me thing the problem may be in the bushings of the swaybar) i have tried to check to see if the nosie is coming from the struts by having a friend push up and down on the van while i checked to see if there was movement in the struts where they are mounted, but nothing!!!! . Help from members on this problem would be most helpful.

thanks in advance Steve

[auto_mran]

Looks like you're on the right track suspecting the sway bar bushings. It could also be the sway bar end links. This is a notorious "weak" spot on an otherwise strong product. It's a relatively inexpensive repair as well. Had it done once on my 96 Plymouth Grand Voyager (sold it a month ago) and they're ready to be replaced on my 04 T&C with "only 48,xxx miles on it.

[vhs]

We had an occational clunk in our front end, turned out to be the swaybar link was broken on the drivers side. Hope that helps.

[XDGT03]

I vote for swaybar bushings. I assume when you say "ends" that you mean that you mean swaybar end links. If not, then those are a good bet too. Raise both front wheels off the ground and grab the links and shake.

[kiwimex]

Just had my mechanic take a look he feels the sway bar links are bad, well i just priced the parts at my local store $30 for the links on both sides, im also going to do the sway bar bushes at the same time and these are like $2 ea. gotta luv parts and labour prices here in Mexico, installation of all the parts is $20. wow $60 for parts and labour, at that price no need for me to get my hands dirty :)

[TomQuick]

That's pretty sweet. I live in the states, but there is a Mexican guy that has a little repair shop not too far from me. He's not licensed to do inspections or anything, and isn't the best at diagnostics, but if you know what is wrong, and need something replaced he is good, fast, and the price is always right, plus I can buy the parts myself so I get a good deal on the parts too. It is still cheaper to do most of the work myself, but for things that I can't handle in the parking lot of my condominium, he's a great alternative.

[lexisdad1201]

I have a 96 Caravan and my friend has 2 of them 96 and 98 and all of our sway bars have broken end links but the holes on the end of the sway bars are not completely closed. They are open like a "C" shape instead of an "O" like most every vehicle I've ever worked on. Is this how they should be or are ours just worn through? Just checking before I buy the links.

[TomQuick]

The holes on the ends of my sway bars were completely round. They are very much like the hole that the ball joint stud, or tie rod end fits into, it is a tapered seat hole, at least on my caravan. I can't see yours being any different.