I've read enough here and other places to figure out that I need to replace the sway bar bushings on my '05 Caravan.A photo of this mysterious little object or maybe even a diagram would be nice, if such a thing exists on the web. Are any links available? I understand that I should be able to accomplish this DIY projectin my carport or would any of you advise against this for a novice? I can replace shocks and brake pads so I'm not completely void of mechanical knowledge (but almost).

 

here's some pic's
http://images.wrenchead.com/smartpag.../K7258_TOP.jpg

and the parts the same # for 96-05 for moog k7258
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d801a4ace.jsp

 

Awesome, thanks a bunch.

 

UPDATE

Just finished the job. It was definitely the sway bar bushings. The van rides quiet and soft again.

 

A little over 10 months later and the darn things need to be replaced again.

 

Are the black rubber ones the only thing available or is there something better?

 

you can get blue silicone bushings from moog. get the MOOG PROBLEM SOLVERS...not the low end moog line. they might last a year.
what it boils down to is this is a design flaw...theres way too much pressure put on the sway bar bushings, theres nothing you can do about it except get used to the clunk, or have tools handy and replace em often.

 

Is this a problem with the '06 model also? (I assume that 05-07 are the same ...)


Gary

 

if it's just the bushings.. what you can do to make them last a little longer is bend the brackets holding them on a very small amount to make them a little tighter. Are you sure its not the endlinks that went out this time? have someone rock the van while holding the link and see if there is any movement. (there are greasable ones out there... not sure how longevity plays in though)

those are a pretty regular thing that needs replaced to get rid of that annoying clunk noise.

 

My 70 year old parents have been complaining of noises in the front suspensions of their 2001 and 2005 Town and Country vans. I just drove them 1200 miles over the last two days and it does seem to be the sway bar bushings on the 2005, on a vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. Chrysler ought to treat its customers right and issue a recall on those bushings, or at least a 'customer satisfaction' warranty extention.