Why do my strut bearings keep going bad?

sunburninaz · #1 06-03-2009, 04:57 PM

I have a '99 Grand Caravan. It is the third vehicle in a 2 driver household so it isn't driven all that much. I replaced the struts a couple of years ago but did not replace the strut mounts. About a year ago, it developed a loud knock or "thunk" when going over speed bumps, up curbs, etc. I pulled the struts and found that the hole where the strut shaft itself goes through the mount was elongated. I replaced the strut mount & bearing and everything was great - for about a week or so until we noticed a clicking or grinding noise when turning (moving or not). I pulled the strut again and replaced the mount & bearing AGAIN. Once again, the noise was gone. It's now back.

What could be making the bearings go bad? Everything is aligned and torqued to where it is supposed to be. I want the next time I pull it apart to be the last.

Thanks for any help.

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sunburninaz · #2 06-15-2009, 05:25 PM

55 views and no ideas? Common guys, I'm naturally a do-it-yourselfer but at this rate I'm going to end up taking it in somewhere for what is essentially (or should be) a fairly simple repair...

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks...