Hi all,

i recently bought a used 2006 caravan last fall and this is my first winter on it. the steering was quiet in the fall but from december, it started making some noise when i turn the wheel. it is now getting worse. once the engine heats up, then i do not hear any noise.

the fluid level seems to be fine. after googling, i see people recommending either cleaning the screen or replacing the pump. since i have this problem only when the engine is cold and disappears when it heats up, is the cause still the screen?

 

Welcome to DF
There is a screen inside the power steering reservoir that needs to be cleaned. The problem is, after cleaning the screen. You may still have a problem. I would recommend to replace the reservoir,not the pump. The screen in the reservoir is there cold or hot fluid.

 

Probably the screen. The groaning and whining noise on my van started while it was still under warranty. Crowfoot dodge in Calgary couldnt fix it and screwed me big bucks for a flush. I finally read about the screen in the reservoir and cleaned it out. Important to know theres a 10mm bolt underneath the reservoir at the back thats a pain to get to. The hoses sometimes stick to the reservoir in/out tubes so soak with WD40 and pry off if necessary. Difficult to get all the crap out of there even flushing numerous times with gas. A temporary fix is to poke a couple of small holes in the screen but best to buy a new one. Dodge should be handing these out for free but customer service is not high on their list. Refill with ATF+4 transmission fluid.
Worked like a charm for me. Had I listened to the dealership, I would be out of pocket for a new pump/rack.

 

Agreed, I replaced the pump first only to have the problem persist and later tried the reservior fix which was successful. Part only costs about $30 for OEM, if I recall correctly

 

I just called into the parts department at Crowfoot Dodge and they want 49 bucks for reservoir. I happenened to mention I had just fixed the noise by flushing the old screen and was looking to buy the updated reservoir to permanently solve the problem. Guy said I shouldnt believe everything on the internet. Had then to point out that their crappy service guys claimed to have flushed the sytem and couldnt solve the problem.

 

Never had luck with trying to flush it. Replace it. Here's an article on the subject

http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice...ysler-vehicles

 

Sorry forgot to mention, got the oem on ebay. here's one for ya:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-02...Q5fAccessories

 

Bigvern
Next time you talk to the parts/service department, Tell them the members on the internet are dodge techs!

 

And good ones to boot!!