Hi!! I have a 2002 dodge grand caravan sport, just rolled over 50,000 miles. The past few weeks I have heard a knocking noise like something is loose whenever I go over bumps. That's the only time I hear the noise and it's coming from the passenger's side only. I was told it was possibly a strut, but this is really too low of mileage to have a broken strut. Also, whenever I have the wheel perfectly straight, there is a high pitch scraping noise coming from the drivers side. The brake pad and rotor were replaced @ 2 months ago, and the brake pad on the passenger side @ 2 months ago....Anyone have any ideas??? [/color]

 

Check the sway bar bushings, most likely.

You could have a bad strut bearing without having a bad strut. Check for rust out around the bearing mount too.

Double check the brakes for the scraping noise, may just be a glazing noise but I have seen the pads break loose from the backing.

 

I agree with olbuddyjack's analysis. Most probable is sway bar bushings/links. Check the rest as he indicated.

 

3 votes for sway links/bushings

 

OK, had my pops look at it...everything is tight on the front end he said...however, on the strut, the shaft in the center is moving up and down--he says it shouldn't be....does the whole strut need replaced or is that the bearing most likely? Also, when he looked at the driver's side, after the tire was off and the rotor was tightened back down, the rotor has a little bit of play in it--probably around 1/4" or 1/2" and, you can hear a thunking noise once in a while. Would this be a u joint or a cv joint? It's strait up the shaft, covered with a rubber boot..any clues??

 

It could be the bearing is bad, as they tend to do that. I really can't tell you about the shaft moving up and down as I have never tested mine to see if it does that.

The shaft you mentioned will be a CV joint. If you have to replace it, do a new shaft, not a rebuild one. They last longer and aren't that much more expensive. Usually they make a clicking/rumbling noise as you go around a corner if they are bad.

It still could be the sway bar bushings. Sometimes they act tight but aren't under use.

It's hard to diagnose over a computer as we aren't there to hear the clunk or push stuff around.

As always, good luck with your project!

 

Thanks for the information!! I'm a single mom and it really helps to kinda know what I'm talking about when I take my car in for repairs.... on the CV joints, there is no rumbling noise yet, Dad doesn't think it's quite that bad yet...just some play and a thunk once in a while...do you think it needs fixed now or can it wait a bit?

 

You can probably wait a bit on the CV shaft. I would try to fix the strut bearing problem first. Then I would try fixing the sway-bar bushing because the bushings don't cost to much. I would then address the CV shaft. All this is assuming that the strut bearing or the SB bushing fixes the noise. If you are paying for the work to be done I guess I would replace all 3 at the same time, since you will have to tear apart the strut and it will be cheaper labor wise to do it all together. The sway bar bushing isn't actually part of the tear down, but I still think that is the problem. If they haven't worn yet, it's only a matter of time and the millage/age is right for a replacement. As I mentioned, it's hard diagnosing this over the computer. Be aware you could fix all of the above and it still could be the SB link bushings.
Given the data you've reported, with your father's analysis, the most likely candidate seems to be the bearing plate in the strut tower.