2005 Dodge Caravan Dodge Caravan steering jitter

KNIZET

MEMBER
2005 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
58,000 MILES

I have a 2005 Grand Caravan with approx 58K miles. When making a slow speed (below 5mph) hard right or left turn (as if turning into a driveway), I get a loud groaning/vibrating noise with a hard bucking or jitter in the steering. Power steering fluid level and clarity is good, and the belt is tight. Is this a problem with the PS pump, or do you think there's a problem with the rack/pinion steering box?

Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 12:10 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

I think I'd visit the dealership for an opinion. The rack and pinion and the pump have to work the hardest at low speeds and when stopped due to the friction of the tires on the road. If I had to guess, I'd look first at the rack and pinion, although Chrysler has very little trouble with them. If this was a GM product with 58,000 miles, a rack and pinion would be a very likely possibility.

Internal leakage around the power piston in the rack can make a pulsing steering wheel, especially at higher pressures. Higher pressure is developed at low speeds and at full turns.

Caradiodoc

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Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 4:28 AM