I've got a 2000 caravan 3.3l 116k. The front end has been making a noise over bumpy roads. So I checked the shocks which are ok, the struts were replaced at about between 80k-90k. I was thinking it might be the ball joints.

I get the vehicle up to check on the ball joints and they seem fine. I checked the wheelbearing for play and that is ok. The thing I did notice is that as I checked the wheel @ 3 and 9 oclock I was getting some play there. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

That could be outer or inner tie rod end. But i would also ck the sway bar bushing and links too.

 

Sometimes you wont see the strut mounts have gone bad too. I just had my read shock bolt brake cus i used the original one which was worn out. Also check your innner and outer tirods

 

How do you check sway bar bushings? I replaced the sway bar links and got rid of some of the noise, but still have a groaning sound when the suspension goes up and down

 

There shold be no up and down movement where the sway bar is attached to the frame.

 

Okay, thanks. Is it a tough job to change the sway bar bushings

 

No it isn't hard. If you have a deep well socket or a box end ratchet it will make the the change much quicker. Only 1 long stud on each bracket and the nut is self locking. The rubber bushings are split and with force can be slipped over the sway bar.