[5th Gen : 08+]: 2010 Caravan Intermittent Power Steering Loss-right turns
Captain
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 553
Likes: 64
It’s possible to replace the column u-joints, but if you have a shop do the work, it would probably end up cheaper to just replace the column (cost of u-joints would be cheaper, but it’s less labor to swap columns as compared to pulling column, replacing u-joints, then reinstalling column). Again, a shop that specializes in steering work would be the place to go.
If the column u-joints are binding/popping, I would expect you’d be able to feel it in the steering wheel. I’d also expect it to be a consistent, reproducible problem as opposed to intermittent; however that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.
Something I didn’t think about before - how old are/how many miles on the front struts? It’s common for the upper mounts on these vans to dry out and start making a popping sound when turning. This can easily be checked by touching the coil springs while a helper turns the wheel - you’ll feel the popping in the spring if it’s happening.
If the column u-joints are binding/popping, I would expect you’d be able to feel it in the steering wheel. I’d also expect it to be a consistent, reproducible problem as opposed to intermittent; however that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.
Something I didn’t think about before - how old are/how many miles on the front struts? It’s common for the upper mounts on these vans to dry out and start making a popping sound when turning. This can easily be checked by touching the coil springs while a helper turns the wheel - you’ll feel the popping in the spring if it’s happening.
Thread Starter
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Amateur
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
It’s possible to replace the column u-joints, but if you have a shop do the work, it would probably end up cheaper to just replace the column (cost of u-joints would be cheaper, but it’s less labor to swap columns as compared to pulling column, replacing u-joints, then reinstalling column). Again, a shop that specializes in steering work would be the place to go.
If the column u-joints are binding/popping, I would expect you’d be able to feel it in the steering wheel. I’d also expect it to be a consistent, reproducible problem as opposed to intermittent; however that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.
Something I didn’t think about before - how old are/how many miles on the front struts? It’s common for the upper mounts on these vans to dry out and start making a popping sound when turning. This can easily be checked by touching the coil springs while a helper turns the wheel - you’ll feel the popping in the spring if it’s happening.
If the column u-joints are binding/popping, I would expect you’d be able to feel it in the steering wheel. I’d also expect it to be a consistent, reproducible problem as opposed to intermittent; however that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.
Something I didn’t think about before - how old are/how many miles on the front struts? It’s common for the upper mounts on these vans to dry out and start making a popping sound when turning. This can easily be checked by touching the coil springs while a helper turns the wheel - you’ll feel the popping in the spring if it’s happening.
