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2002 Dodge Caravan POWER STEERING GEAR

Tiny
AMPFI
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,200 MILES
Hi,
I'm sending this message from Finland. I bought my vehicle in USA prior to my move over here.
After the overseas transportation in the container something went wrong with the power steering gear. It was replaced in February 2007. Now there's a leak in both ends of the power steering gear. I've been told that it comes from power steering pump.
I was told that Grand Caravans have this type of model problem. Do you know if it's true?
I wonder if the repair job was done properly since I've a problem with the power steering gear again.
Is it possible to order the part from US since all US car parts are so much more expensive over here?
I would greatly appreciate your expertise in solving this problem.
With kind regards,
Aila M. Phillips
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 AT 2:52 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Aila:
I can't say what happened to the vehicle on its trip, but the rack and pinions in these vehicles are good and have very little trouble. If it is leaking from both sides of the rack, then the bushings on the inside are bad allowing fluid to get past them. If I had to guess, I would say they either used a remanufacturerd rack or fixed the old one and didn't do a good job.

As far as getting one from the USA, yes you can do it. Just contact a dealer via the internet and request they send the part to you. If you need the name of a dealer, I can look that up for you.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, March 26th, 2010 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi:
I hope all is well. I just received a posting that I sent you some time back, but there was no response from you. Did you have additional questions?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
AMPFI
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Hopefully this will come through. Before my car started to have a burning rubber smell I visited two garages.
The first checked the power steering lines. There was some fluid on them but he said it came from sweating. He said the vehicle is safe to drive; no worries.
The second showed me the orange colored fluid hanging under the rubber bushings on the steering gear close to the wheels. I don't know if they are called bushing. He said that I have to have the whole steering gear replaced. Is this the only solution fix the problem?
It was replaced in 2007. Is this a typical problem for my type of car?
I researched the net and found that there was a recall in Sept.04 for Dodge GC's for upper power steering cooler hose. What that means?
Last year I had the bushings and stabiliser bars replaced. Could something have gone wrong when doing this work causing the leak now?
I've all these questions and doubts when I've received so different answers to my questions.
I truly appreciate all the help you've given me so far.
Thanks a million!
With kind regards,
Aila
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Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 AT 2:31 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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The prior repairs wouldn't have caused this to happen. As far as the service bulletin, it is regarding a cooling line which would have nothing to do with it.

I wish I had an easier answer for you, but I don't. As far as this being a common problem, it isn't.
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Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 AT 6:23 AM
Tiny
AMPFI
  • MEMBER
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Thank you for your response.
Now another question: could adding wrong type of automatic transmission fluid cause this type of leakage in the power steering gear assembly?
Thanks again.
With kind regards,
Aila M. Phillips
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Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
You shouldn't use ATF for power steering fluid. In the old days, that was okay, but things are a little different today. It could have had something to do with it.
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Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 AT 7:22 AM
Tiny
AMPFI
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks again for your reply. The oil used was MOP51035531EA/MOPAR 4+ this is on the bill. This is right kind of oil to use.
Regards,
Aila
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Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
AMPFI
  • MEMBER
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Now my van has developped a different problem. The power steering gear is leaking at both ends. There's fluid on top of it. I was told that the whole gear needs to be replaced. Is that the only solution?

Could the earlier leak on the power steering hoses cause this leak on the steering gear? The whole assembly was replaced in Aug 2007. Is this typical for my type of van that the steering gear has problems?
I thank you very much for your assistance again.
With kind regards,
Aila
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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 4:34 AM

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