I just bought this 2001 grand caravan sport 3.3l . I noticed today when going into a right hand curve the van pulls to the left slightly ,then to the right and back straight! It only does this in a right hand curve and if you weren't paying attention it would be easy to over correct it.

I have not put it up on a rack yet that's Monday , but would like to know what these systems might be. I have heard from some mechanic's it is the rack and pinion, control arms, sway-bar bushings etc.

It just started all the sudden , and i don't need a mechanic , replacing things that don't need it because there just guessing .....and yes we have those kind here...lol.

Just need some ideas of what to check and look for or someone who has had this issue. If its just bushings or control arms , that's something i can do myself, but the rack ..im not so sure.

any help would be appreciated thanks!

 

Anyone want to take a guess ?

 

You need to put it up and start inspecting things. If you can't figure out what's wrong, at least rule out what is right. From the "shifting" in the direction, I'm thinking you could have a problem with your steering rack. It could also be tie rods or control arm. I doubt it would be the sway bar or end links because you are talking about a shift in direction and not the swaying or instability, but anything is possible (are you experiencing any rattling or banging when you drive over smaller, repetitive bumps?). Has it been in any front end accidents (I realize you just bought it... carfax? Previous history?) There are lots of how-to's here to diagnose the individual parts. If it is the sway bar or end links, the parts are cheap. You'll need to do some more diagnosing first.

 

Its used and no accidents that could be found . There is mo rattling , bumps, bangs nothing. It started by just pulling to the right...like it was out of line. Then the sway-whipping slightly left or right. Its not real bad but its enough to concern me. Tomorrow it goes on the rack and we will see for sure. I hope its not the rack and pin, but in my experience that is what i would expect as well.


thanks

 

Are all 4 tires at the proper pressure? Sometimes it is the little things...

If they are all good I would think next that it could be tie rods or ball joints, but usually those make an audible clunk when you rock the wheel back and forth or go over bumps in a parking lot. Any whirring at speed or when turning indicating a failing wheel bearing?

 

Well after a tri[ to the garage , all bushings, control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar , and tire presure etc were all good! The rack and pin didn't show any damage etc.

The only thing i can think of is a strut bushing , or the rack and pin might just starting to go bad ...hell who knows.

Its got me stumped.

If anyone has any more ideas chime in . im all for any new ideas here....lol

thanks

 

Although I wouldnt totaly rule out the rack it sounds like the upper strut mounts and/or bearings may be binding. These two items are often overlooked when the struts are replace. If you thinking about replacing the struts the Monroe "loaded" Quick-Struts are a great way to go!

http://www.monroe.com/products/Quick-Strut

 

I didn't mention it in my first response, but what you describe is a problem that occurred in a car my father owned. There was that disconcerting "shift" when turning. In his case, it was related to a front end accident where the rack had been damaged, along with some frame damage. Are you actually sure it has not been in an accident? If not, I'd suggest a further inspection of the front end. Rack problems are not easily diagnosed. I would also add to consider what Fleet Guy is suggesting. At this point if this were me, and I can't find specifically what is wrong through a garage diagnosis, i'd now be looking to replace some of the parts to try to eliminate the problem If I had over 120,000km on the odometer. You never mentioned what the mileage of the vehicle is, but I would start with the struts too. I'd also replace the bushings on the sway bar because they are about $10 a side. I would also do the sway bar end links which are about $25 a side. Yes it can get expensive, but at least you know it's done.

 

struts are the next step, then im going to take it from there.

Yes i checked it wasn't wrecked at all , but i know it was drove on a gravel road , which means pot hole's and the are havoc on struts and suspension parts.

 

My 2001 required a new power steering reservoir, symptom was starving power steering. Not sure yours would be that, mine made some noise. They have a screen in the bottom that clogs, its molded in supposedly... its a dealer part and cost me less than $30. Might be worth looking into.