Our 2001 Grand Caravan is suddenly out of line, pulling to the right. It also developed a significant vibration. It vibrates all the time, but mostly when going slow and when turning right. There is no noise along with it. Any suggestions?
My husband already checked the tires air pressure and it is fine.
Do you think this is a simple alignment issue or more? We are new to our area and hesisitant to take it to an unknown shop without having some idea what the problem is!

Thank you!

 

Sounds definatley like there is an alignment problem. Have you hit anything latley like potholes or large bumps? Sometimes that will throw it off. Id have it re-aligned

 

Grab the tire and jiggle it firmly right to left. Even try this pulling and pushing at the top of the tire. Then do the same on the other side and feel if there is any difference in the sound or resistance. Get a flashlight and look at the spring and struts thouroughly on each side. Your problem range from a Tie-rod for steering to a broken spring or strut to a ball-joint(although that wouldn't necessarily explain the pull unless it is completely broken off) or also a very bad wheel bearing (although this should produce significant noise if it's bad). Having somebody drive it slowly past you in a parking lot may allow you to hear a noise you may not hear from within the vehicle. Good Luck

 

Thanks everyone!
Well, pretty sure it's more than alignment! We were going to go ahead and drive it to church this morning and then take it in to a shop for alignment tomorrow. We only made it around the block- the steering wheel is jumping violently to the right, now there is also a tick-tick noise, and the entire car feels as if it's trying to jump itself towards the right.

We made the block and came back home-to the shop it goes first thing in the morning.

 

Check the tires very carefully.
If one of the internal tire belts broke or shifted the tire can become egg shaped or develop a dangerous bulge.
Sometimes it difficult to see these defects on the ground.

Good luck

 

The ticking noise is indicative of a CV joint or drive axel. It is probably binding as it is going bad.

 

I could not believe the news from the shop yesterday!
Nothing more than a bad tire. One of the tires had a flat place on it even though it had plenty of air pressure- they said a belt in the tire had slipped creating a flat place?
They replaced the tires and it drives beautifully! My husband had just commented last month that we'd need to get new tires in the next month or two, so we went ahead and replaced all of them.
I'm so relieved!
Thanks everyone!