I have a 2005 dodge grand caravan 3.8l looking for oem struts on the cheap.

Best I found was this https://www.1aauto.com/dodge-chrysler-front-strut-and-spring-assembly-pair/i/1assp00035?f=398709&y=2005&utm_campaign=gb_csv_br& utm_content=SSP&gclid=CjwKCAjwxOvsBRAjEiwAuY7L8qWD 3IcY870oDDzaL8SqP_ac5VZx2QJ9PqzasOrcuqV4tJfKfuDVNB oCpy8QAvD_BwE

 

Well, I don't know what you mean by oem. What you shown is aftermarket, and not original equipment. I had one KYB strut, mount & bearing plate, and kept the stock spring, put in my van yesterday, and it rides almost just like the stock strut that had 110K on it.
They weren't cheap; about 3/4 of the price of oem, but I expected better.

 

Thanks, but decided to get these:

 

The springs on these look much better than the ones in the first link you posted. Let us know how they ride.

 

Definately will. Waiting till hopefully Sunday night start, and finish Monday. Will post an update sometime next week. Got speed bumps at work, and a road nearbye, cause of speeders so that's the ultimate test.

 

You should always replace struts in pairs no wonder your van still drive the same as it did with the old struts is because you still have an old strut as part of your front suspension.

 

The struts I bought are a lot better in my opinion than the OEM ones. Still debating on an alignment.

Pain in the butt cutting the sway bar links off. I grinded them off, and it was like it melted to the sway bar after the sway bar link was grinded off.

 

This is really a no brainer you can't replace your struts and sway bar without having an alignment there's no possible way that you're sure you've got the correct camber or caster adjustments. You can either choose to pay for an alignment or buy tires because of premature wear.

 

Today I was doing the alignment, and got the drivers side straight, but passenger side tire is going to the right. I can straighten it, but not sure how much of the tie ride is in the outer tie rod when the tire is straight. I don't want to cause too much stress on the outer tie rod, and have something bad happen.




My question is why would that happen? Is something wrong with the tie rod itself? Rack and pinion?

 

If you are not sure, you can remove the tie rod to find out, but I know one turn of the tie rod has a significant impact on the angle of the wheel, so it ma not take as much turning as you may think.