Technical > Automotive > Chrysler T&C steering making odd noises

Chrysler T&C steering making odd noises

Yup. Posting the same thing here - »Automotive

Matt

Thanks. I don't visit the auto section very often. I had no clue it was in two parts.

IIRC there were recalls on the hoses and TSBs, for fluids. Give the dealer a call and see if any were done on your van, they should be able to tell you via the VIN.

Thanks. We'd had that inspection done not too long ago. But, I should check the list again in case anything new has popped up. Thanks for the reminder.

reply to Goober
Ours 2003 GC does that when there's air bubbles in the fluid. The problem starts becasue the low pressure hose is defective as per the aforementioned recall and TSB's.

I have also found that my Chrysler dealer isn't too concerned about tightening the clamps on the belts and they come off once in a while. Usually where the hoses connect to the fluid cooler underneath the vehicle.

I finally got to it and replaced all the fittings. No more issues.

I have also found that having the fluid changed by my Chrysler dealer results in the same noise, and having the fluid changed by a third party doesn't

I don't use the Chrysler dealer anymore. Actually this one got closed in the recent turmoil.

I'd start by ensuring the hoses have been replaced, and having the fluid changed.

Thanks, I'll definitely look into that. I literally was talking to my wife last night and had mentione the same thing to her. It makes sense.

On another note, if it can last another few weeks, we probably won't have the car anymore.

See my other thread: »Suggestions for a good 7-seater automobile

reply to NCBrit
It's possible that the problem actually is the serpentine belt and not the power steering itself, and this is a notorious problem on these engines. The reason for it being different depending on whether it squeals from the start is due to a) weather ... it may squeal more when drier ... and b) the kick on the belt when it stops determining it's alignment when it s tarts up again. The reason it changes with the steering is just the load the pump puts on the belt varies causing different tension on the belt.

The squeal is due to the belt alignment between the belt tensioner and the power steering pump ... the belt doesn't sit properly on the pulleys and in the case of the PSP pulley, it is pulled into and out of the grooves on an angle which causes a squeal, and in the case of the tensioner it tends to slide sideways on the belt causing a squeal. It sounds as if it's coming from the PSP.

The problem at the tensioner can become so bad that instead of squealing, it throws belts off, particularly in the wet or with snow splash onto the belt.

The way to check out the noise source as the belt is to get a plant squirt bottle and fill it with water with a tiny bit of dish detergent. Spray the belt where it goes on and off the power steering pump pulley. If it goes away then we've located the actual problem (It may come back depending on the belt alignment after the wetting dries out in a few seconds). If the noise doesn't go awa, then it's probably the power steering pump itself.

All the repairs in this area are a real pig and may be costly just because of the time to repair.

If it's the pump well, c'est la vie.

If it's the belt, then there are a couple ways to help ... one is to get a Goodyear "Gatorback" belt. The texturing on the back of the belt stops it from sliding on the flat pulleys and stops squeal.

It could be the pulley bearings on the idler and tensioner that are worn. (About $30 each). If that doesn't solve it, then a replacement tensioner may be needed ... the mount/pivot for the tensioner tends to bend slightly with time, ensuring that it never lines up. The tensioner itself is a real bear to replace if you want to try it yourself! (Part about $75).

Replacing the belt and tensioner and pulleys usually resolves MOST of the squeal problems associated with the belt ... but, in the most severe cases, particularly those where they throw belts, there's a special 3rd party belt/pulley kit from Goodyear that has ribbed reverse on the belt and locating flanges on the tensioner and idler pullies to stop throwing the belts and helping reduce squeal.

Personally, I wouldn't mess around. Given the van's age, I'd

a) Replace the belt with a gatorback
b) Replace the idler pulley (towards the front)
c) Replace the tensioner

There is nothing worse than being caught if the belt or pulley goes turning a corner or pulling into a parking place! Well, there is ... if the tensioner breaks, then they throw parts all over and can actually put a dent into the hood from the inside!!! (I had a 1995 GC that did that to me!)

Good luck! Mine last caravoyager started doing it one day on a 200 mile trip ... thought it was going to explode! Took a lot of time and patience to repair, but now it's silent. (the van's silent for other reasons right now ... other Chryco problems with these vans!)

Ouch. Okay, we're definitely getting rid of this thing sooner rather than later then. I've got a couple of dealership appointments set up for this weekend.

I'm tired of spending money on this thing. We got a good deal when we bought it ($5K under invoice), so I don't feel too badly about things right now. But, much more, and it's going to start really aggravating me.

It's reaching that age

It's hard to imagine that an 8 year old car (stickered at $38K) should have so many problems. My Maxima 98 is (knock on wood) doing fine--just regular wear type things. Well, I had to get the AC redone, but other than that it's just been brakes.

But, I agree. It's reached the age . . .

I agree Goober. I guess I should thank my lucky stars, my MDX hasn't had much if any problems, in fact we just got our rotors replaced, after 7 years. But just that thing called the transmission. If we had the money we'd be doing the same thing. I have a couple months left on the warranty and as sure as hell I am going to be bugging them to look at it.

You're having xmission problems?

No but it's a well know fact with the MDXs at first it was thought to be 2001 to 02 but then it crept up through all the years up to the 2006 as well. Some have no issues others go through 2-3 trans. Scary look at the search results from the other site I am a mod on. »www.mdxers.org/forums/search.php···rtorder=

I get the impression that where some cars drop significant problems every year or two after about 7 years, Chryslers drop several just as if it's built in! If it doesn't die just after the warranty, wait till 7 years!

My GC at 7 years old ... rusty strut towers, rusty sills, nivomat shock, tensioner dying (replaced before damage ... but it sure was noisy!), Long list! Always leaves you afraid of what's next. When you have everything fixed, you'll go well for another 5, then the engine will give you oil leaks!

reply to Warzau
Interesting.

Are you on warranty still?

reply to sbrook
Ours is in relatively better shape, but we only average about 8K miles/yr on it.

reply to Goober
Yes I got a extended one from Honda, before the original ran out, when there were stories of trans problem cropping up on the forums. Luckily it's already paid for itself. By paying for other issues small but damn expensive, for them at least. But It's going to expire next Jan.

Did you have to pay more than if you had gotten it if you purchased it with the vehicle?

We puchased ours with the vehicle, but if I can hold off on it for the new car, I'd prefer that.

Actually it would have been less if purchased with the car, and it went up slightly according to the year and length of the extended warranty you wanted prior to the original ending. With Honda you have until the end of the original warranty to buy the extended.