1996 Dodge Caravan Acceleration Wobble
I have a 1996 Dodge Caravan ES that we bought new and I dearly love. It's just lately developed a "wobble" in the front end that you can feel in the seats, more than in the steering wheel. I happens on acceleration, only and You felt it at 30 mph and it smoothed out at 40 mph. We've tried: new tires, rotating tires; 2 alignments; CV joints, struts. Today, at a different place, up on the hoist they made the tires spin 32mph and you could see the right front tire shaking and the right trans axle appeared to be "bent". He rotated the tires again, replaced BOTH trans axles (both had already been replaced in 2001); and checked the alignment (it was ok). $451.00 later, the "wobble" hits at 35 mph and smooths out at 42 mph. It's about 10% better. Now what?? Engine mounts? "master mechanic" says mounts look ok to him and that the "vibration?" of the engine doesn't appear to be more than normal. Please give me some good suggestions!! Thanks
Jul 15, 2006 at 8:54 AM
With the front wheel drive cars, if the engine mounts allow the car to sag, it can mess with the alignment of the drive axle. I had a grand prix that had bent the "U" portion that holds the rubber mount. It would vib really bad on acceleration.
Good luck on finding your fix.....
Good luck on finding your fix.....
Jul 15, 2006 at 11:39 AM
IF I remember right, the mounts had to be centered in the front when the axle shafts were replaced. There may be a technical service bulletin on that or there may be paperwork in the axle shaft boxes that allude to it.
Jul 24, 2006 at 2:25 PM
Suggested Repair
Inspect the engine mounts for sag, damage, or a bent mount bracket that can misalign the drive axles under acceleration. When axle shafts are replaced, center the front mounts as specified, and check for a related technical service bulletin or axle installation instructions.
Conversation Summary
A 1996 Dodge Caravan developed a front-end wobble felt mainly in the seats during acceleration, appearing around 30-35 mph and smoothing out near 40-42 mph. Tires, alignments, CV joints, struts, and both transaxles were addressed with only slight improvement. Experts suggested checking engine mounts for sag or damage that can throw off drive-axle alignment, and centering the front mounts when axle shafts are installed, possibly per a TSB or axle instructions.
