2005 Dodge Caravan front end clunking

Tiny
KEYCARRIER
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE CARAVAN
Noises problem
2005 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic

I hear some clunking in the front end when going over bumpy roads. (Like a dirt road, which we have in the driveway.) Sounds like it's near the drivers wheel? It's louder when it's cold. No clunking on road driving. No clunking or issues when turning the wheel. What do you think it may be?
Dodge Grand Caravan
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 AT 2:06 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Check the sway bar pin on that side.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
DLPARTA
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  • 2 POSTS
I have a 2001 caravan, mine sounded the same way. Sway bar bushings were bad, $15 to fix it. Hope this helps.
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Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 AT 9:04 PM
Tiny
TL1369
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 2008 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 56,000 MILES
My 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan has a noise coming from the front end. Here is what we know.
* IT starts at about 30mph
* The "pitch" of the noise goes up as we accelerate
* The noise does NOT change pitch when turning
* Checked the Wheel Bearing with a stethoscope & no noise in the bearings although right side shaft has a little play/movement
* There is no noticable vibration with the noise. Just your typical engine vibration.
* It is not tire noise. We had 2 new tires put on front, noticed noise, put those on back and 2 NEW ones on front. Noise did not change.
* Allignment has been completed with no change in the noise.
Thank you for your help. We have a 2500 mile trip planned for this weekend and need to be sure it's safe to drive or get it fixed by thursday.

It's a hum. Like a vibration noise but there is no feeling of vibration. Our initial thought was that it was road noise. You know when you go over a new road that's been laid but not sealed? It's that noise. Hope that helps.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
This sounds like the final drive and differential carrier bearings have gone bad which is common with these noises. The transmission will need to be rebuilt to fix this problem.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TL1369
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you for your help. Also, as we were investigating we were unable to locate the dipstick for the tranmission fluid. There is a tube that looks like a dipstick tube but it has a cap on it labeled "dealer use only" Is it possible for you to direct us where to find the transmission fluid dipstick? Thanks again.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Uncap it and investigate -stick something in there and see if you have transmission fluid
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 620 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 58,000 MILES
When I turn the steering wheel to the left and right a little I can hear a noise under the front end I am not sure is it coming from the struts what could it be?
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TL1369
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Ok, so we have had the transmission fluid checked and it is good. The sound heard with the stethoscope was coming from the shaft and not the wheel bearing. Do you know if there is a bearing or a bushing in the shaft of this vehicle? We've priced out the wheel bearing but my husband is hesitant because of where he heard the noise coming from. Could a bearing or bushing in the shaft cause this noise? Thank you again for your assistance. You provide an amazing service and your expertise is appreciated! I have recommended the site to MANY. :)
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It could be the ball joints or maybe strut plate on top of struts or just the springs making noise in struts as well as any other suspension part. Have it checked.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It could be the carrier bearing or its race. The noise will telescope through the CV axle and that is what you are hearing.

This is what a bad axle bearing looks like but yours are okay this is for others that visit the page.

Go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSsC-lWB1lg
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 620 POSTS
I believe it is the strut plate when I jack both wheel of the ground and turn left wheel from side to side with one hand on the spring I can feel a vibration.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CBUSMC
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  • 1 POST
I am experiencing the exact same issue with my 2008 Grand Caravan with the exact same mileage. Did you ever discover the cause of this "road noise"? Your response would be appreciated.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,490 POSTS
Hey JOE,

Yep that would be the strut top plate bearing gone out pretty common problem nice find HMAC300
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 620 POSTS
Do I just replace the strut top plate bearing or do I just replace the strut assembly? And how do I replace the strut top plate bearing?
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,490 POSTS
Yes the problem has the carrier bearings in the transmission which failed causing the problem.

Please use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,490 POSTS
You must disassemble the strut to do it so if you can just replace the strut as a unit it would be better.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM (Merged)

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