dodge caravan noisy steering DIY fix 

First I want to thank you banshee8989. I went to DODGE DEALERSHIP with this same problem and after 3hrs wait time I was told I needed a NEW TRANSMISSION $1,999.99! Do I look that stupid? Told them thank you and LEFT! Went to a mechanic he told me cruise control issue $650! Thanked him and said GOODBYE! Came home sat at my computer and type in noisy steering on dodge caravan took me to this page. Its been 3months and NO! I repeat NO MORE NOISE! U R A HONEST SMART GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK U!!!!!!!

I didn’t remove the reservoir I left it attached. I also own a 4x4 and change my own fluids in it with a Wet & Dry vacuum. So. I took the vacuum and sucked the fluid out, it made it very easy to see the screen and I just vacuumed it. Worked the same way, but sure was faster. Without your video I won’t have known the problem, thanks.

I was certain my pump was bad, until I watched this video. I opted to just replace the reservoir and used synthetic ATF fluid, cost about $32. Solved the whining. Thank you so much, you saved me hundreds!

Thank you for posting this video! I used a turkey baster from the dollar store to remove fluid from the reservoir. A new part would have cost $45 dollars (in Canada). So instead I used a old tooth brush to clean the screen inside. I cut it so the brush would have a 45 degree bend. I reinforced the cut mark with duc tape. Used paint thinner to clean in combination with scrubbing the screen with the brush where you cannot see it through the opening. Thanks again.

thank you for not babbling throughout the video like most guys do.....straight and to the point....bravo.......cheers.....

Thanks. Always nice to watch someone else do it first. For my 2004, 3.3L Caravan the two top bolts were 8mm (5/16") and the difficult one on the underside was a 10mm socket approaching straight from the back with a extension. Really the hard of the bottom nut is simply getting an eye on it.

Just followed the video - very helpful (2006 Caravan 3.3)! A couple of additions - I found the nuts on top were 8mm and the PITA was 10mm, and I used 2 bottles, one for each hose as fluid came out of both when I disconnected them. Got the old fluid out with a turkey baster from the local dollar store. Thanks for the great instructions!!

Great video... suggestion on the hose if you turn it back and forth like a door knob it safely removes the seal on the hose... also remember that the resevoir has a screen that gets clogged after time and starve the system... suggest replace it it's only 25 bucks... or remove it and add cleaner to remove the gunk off the filter... these engines are notorious for that and it causes the pump to starve thank you for the video

My van was making the same noise. I watched this video and thought I would try it out. It worked wonders! Thanks for posting this video! My van doesn't make the noise anymore!! 😀👌

Thank you for posting this. My wife didn't believe the dealership when they told her she needed a new rack and pinion...at a $1200 price tag. She researched and researched and decided to follow instinct with the filter being clogged. Lo and behold - no more whine! Thanks again!

Thank you, Banshee8989, this was a GREAT contribution. I was ready to replace the power steering pump on my 2003 but replaced the reservoir instead. Simple and fast. Mine had 8mm bolts on top, 10mm on the bottom. I loosened the bottom bolt with an extension bar and a rachet. Note: you just have to loosen the nut and you then can lift out the reservoir. If you look at the new one, you'll see the the bolt fits into a slot on the reservoir; loosen it and lift.

Worked like a charm on my '02 Grand Caravan! I got lucky and didn't have the PITA bolt. Just the two on top. Lots of debris came out of the reservoir after blasting it with copious amounts of carb cleaner. Thanks for the video!

Thank you so much for posting this video. Saved me a ton of money. I have a 2006 and my bolts were 8mm an 10 mm and I used gasoline to o clean out the filter screen. So nice to have a quiet van again.

Thanks my friend! My wife has been bugging me about the steering for a while but I kept putting her off thinking it was going to be a lot of work and expensive. I'm doing this Saturday morning and bank some sweetie points :-)

thanks! I'm not a mechanic but I did it for less than 20 dollars. The thought of buying a new pump for hundreds of dollars was causing me stress, and now I'm stress free because the noise is gone! Thanks again. We'll use the extra money on a vacation to DC with the kids this summer.

Just used your video to replace my resevoir. Very easy to do. But that little screw on the back side is definitely a bugger. Took an hour and saved hundreds. Time very well spent. Thanks for posting a detailed, step by step video!

thank you for the tip i just did my van and it worked perfect, i did saved $300.00 + i checked with dealer they told me i might be the pump. Thanks, keep up the honest tips, i cleaned my with carbulator cleaner and the fluid was burnt.

I just finished this repair on my 2001 T&C. I replaced the power steering reservoir with a new OEM reservoir from a dealer, which cost $30. FYI: the top bolt heads on mine were 8mm and the lower one was 10mm. I used ATF-4 as suggestion by this video and several other internet sources. The repair took me about an hour. After I was finished, the whining was gone and, with the van parked, I could turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and left with one finger. Thank you banshee!

This is a great video. I removed the reservoir and cleaned it but the noise remained. So I bought a new reservoir on Ebay for $24 (with shipping) and now the noise is completely gone. I have an 03 Town and Country. Thanks so much for taking the time to share this info.

Saved 300+ bucks! Thank you!!! 2006 Dodge GC - 24.00 for a new resavoir at autozone, evac pump like in the video 11.00, 14.00 for ATF+4 (bouth 2 qts. just in case), and 40 min job start to finish, for me ;) Rear bolt was a pain as stated in the vid, but if you remove the suction hose first (also a pain) you can get to the rear bolt easier. All in all, I've done much tougher jobs and this solution was the fix for my noisy pump ;) Awesome!!!

This procedure does work. On my 2006, I have 8mm bolts on top and the tricky one underneath was a 10mm, but everything else in the video is spot on. The noise did not go away completely until the next morning, but it is whisper quiet now. Thanks for posting the video. NOTE: My "check engine" light came on immediately afterwards, but was off the next morning.

Dude....THANK YOU for making this video! 05 Caravan....very annoying high pitched noise when warmed up and traveling on the highway. Just completed the replacement. $26 from O'Reilly for the reservoir, $3 for a suction pump and $5 for power steering fluid. Done. I will say though....that nut is a PITA to get at. Took me about 30 mins but got r' dun. Again...thank you for saving me $300.

Best video about this issue on RU-vid, i have changed it twice in my dads van..good job and thank you for sharing! :)

Thanks so much for the insight on this issue. I wasn't aware that this was a common problem on those vans. New reservoir and return hose installation in progress.

Thanks for the video. instructions were right on. the nuts were 8mm (top) and 10mm (bottom) for a 2003 Caravan SE. I couldn't get the part new because it wasn't available at the dealer and I couldn't wait. However, I followed the carburator cleaner advice and it worked perfectlly. The bottom nut was tough. So, be patience with it.

I only got to pull the old fluid out of the reservoir, start the engine a few seconds and run what was left in the pump into a plastic bottle and it started to rain. I aborted the mission and filled the reservoir with the new fluid, started the engine and turned the wheel to remove the air from the lines, shut it off, topped it off and ran inside with the intention of completing it later. When I started it later to pick up my children, problem was solved! Thanks for the video tip!

great video, just today decided to make the procedure, a little bit to remove suction hose but once remove everithing went smooth. I ran out carb cleaner so I used first thinner then seven green ancaline soap. rinse direct through suction port with hose alot of debriss was trapped on filter. after install everithing back use atf+4 sintetic mopart oil then noise disapear. thanks a lot

This absolutely worked! Thanks for posting....I was told $500 to replace the PS pump and I said no way and cleaned to resevoir myself....The hose got damaged taking it off so I went to junkyard to pull another one off and they charged me $2 for it. Yes please do water pump! thx again.

Thanks for video. All in all a fairly easy job. Just did it a few minutes ago. Time will tell if the pump is really the weakest link, though. Still making noise. My big/return hose had pretty much fused with the reservoir's connection. That was really a pain. But since I was replacing the reservoir with a new one, I just crushed the plastic part by squeezing with some pliers. My bottom nut was 10mm. After replacing I powerwashed engine bay.

the reservoir i bought was off of ebay,it was new and came in the correct mopar box. was a perfect fit . its price was a total of 35.00 .now im going to have to change my igintion lock cylinder.key wont turn to start ,a short tap on the key releases the lock ,allows it to start,but will replace . cost will be around 70.00 and do it myself.found great video on that at the dorman site for a 2003 caravan.

Thanks for this fix video... Worked like a charm! I cleaned my reservor with hot water and Purple Power cleaner. After getting it as clean as possible(a lot of debris came out), I rinsed with isopropyl alcohol to displace the water, and let it dry out over night.

@mikeadiddle No problem ;) After seeing the demand for this video I am thinking of making another one for changing the water pump. A common problem and one that scares people but it really is not that hard. stay tunned.

Banshee I watched this cause I wasn't sure at which place on the van to drain the fluid...I had no idea there was a screen in that tank! And as a 27 year auto parts sales guy, I've sold a few of these tanks lol. Thanks for the video and I'm about to do this on the wife's Caravan. PS...when I flush my p/s systems I always add in a half bottle of Lucas PS treatment. Helps even more with silencing, and it also smooths out rough spots. Thanks again!

Thank you!!! I changed my 2004 Caravan's power steering reservoir 3 weeks ago with help from this video! And I do not know anything about car. It took me over 2 hours though as I had a hard time removing the back hose. Thank you for saving me big bucks. More power!!! (Oh I used a turkey baster..but of course wife was not aware. LOL!)

Banshee, this is the best video I have ever watched. Great camera work, steady and remarks are super.. I have done this several times but only to flush, not remove. Mine not near as good, so will try this next time.

I'm prepared to finish the process if needed, but half of it goter done! 05 grand caravan had been whining for quite some time. Thanks again!!

Good video. Only took me about an hour and I'm not the most mechanically inclined. I too had to use a deep 10mm socket for the lower hard to get screw. It was helpful to have a flexible head flashlight to help me get that lower bolt loosened. I bought my resevoir on Amazon for only $19 plus shipping. Thank you for the video!

I drove the car to a parking lot and made some slow sharp turns and put more fluid in and that helped..after driving the car some the noise is completely gone so thats a result!....I know my post is a bit winded but maybe it will help some else...cheers....Wayne

2005 Chrysler T&C, had the most annoying power steering whine. I sure did not want to crawl in back of the engine and replace the pump. I did not clean the power steering reservoir because of the residual cleaner deteriorating the fluid over time. I replaced it. WOW!!! IT WORKED. i got the part online for about 26 dollars including s&h new in box original mopar. It was easy. Used tranny fluid. It has been working now for over a year.

Took about 90-Minutes, 30-Minutes for the PITA nut. Replaced the 8Y old reservoir, $26 at Autozone, rather than clean. Noise that we have had for 6Y is now gone. Used ATF-4 Transmission Fluid rather than Power Steering Fluid as suggested and Steering is now smooth and Quiet. Thank You banshee8989.

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It was just what I needed, worked grate. Thanks again.

Thanks. Very helpful vid. On my '02 sport caravan the top 2 bolts were 8mm. The tricky nut underneath was 10mm (to see the nut use a mirror, it helps a lot). I discovered that P'reilly

ty so much for posting. Im having the same problem with mine...only make a loud noise once in a while...not constant. Im going to forward this video to my husband.. Will let you know how we make out :)

Very helpful video! Thank you very much for posting it. I will try this fix on my wifes 2002 Dodge Caravan. I like saving hundreds of dollars!

06 Dodge Grand Caravan, we had high pitched wailing after traveling at high speeds. Changing the reservoir, solved the problem!

the reservoir costs only $20 bucks just replace it also only a temporary fix you have to ask yourself what caused that screen to clog it a sealed system which means either the rack or the pump is grinding and throwing metal fillings into the system or rubber seals and hoses are deteriorating.

2003 GC, fixed! Thanks, for taking the time to post this video.

Procedure also works on 2002 Grand Caravan 3.8L, except bolts are 8 mm and 10 mm instead of 10 mm and 12 mm. I couldn't get the big suction hose off but saw no dirt or sludge on the screen/filter so I didn't try too hard. For me it just turned into a PS fluid change.

I replaced the rack and pinion but the problem returned. thanks so much!

Thank you very much for posting this video You have saved me a ton of time and money u are most certainly a God send!!!!

Just dropping by to say this worked like a champ. Thanks for saving me some cash!

Thanks for this! Our van has been whining and hard to steer in the mornings I think this might help for sure, if not at least I did a fluid flush and screen clean.

whats odd is my 98 Grand Caravan uses PS Fluid. It looks like brake fluid and the manual also specifies it. I found it at wally world for less then 5. buck. MY caravan has 250k miles. I needed to replace the rack because of seals.

i have an 02 and bought it with that whining noise, sucked out the fluid and cleaned screen then replaced fluid that i took out with lucus oil power steering treatment, about 8 buck and 10 min had this prob fixed, of course if it happens again ill remove the tank and clean it out completely

(ops, hit wrong key)....I discovered that O'reilly auto parts store was the only one that carries an after market Power steering reservoir for $23. Thanks again for the vid.

Great video...thanks for posting. Seems to be exactly what I'm experiencing at 50K miles. Now...please show us how to change the rear spark plugs!!!

@KParkerFlores crap I forgot to get back to this. Well, I sent my husband this video and we both had our doubts. I mean, how could such little dirt in the filter cause so much noise....But it worked like a charm and havent had a problem since. Even my husband was surprised. Thanks for posting :)

On the 2007 Caravan there is no back bolt, only two on top. Yay!

the bolts on my2001 gr caravan were 10 mm and the hard to get nut was 10mm as well .you dont have to remove the back nut just loosen it as the tank is slotted, you just pull up on than to get it out.I get of I had to "Break" the connection by using a pair of pliers were the hose fits over the plastic tube and twist it carefully to get it to release...I also pulled off the 2 small vacuum lines on top of the manifold,

Great video and instruction. I followed exactly as the video shows and it worked just great. Thanks

Thanks for the great video. I'm going to try this and hopefully it fixes our whiny steering on our 2004 T&C.

thank you sir! replaced the reservoir and no more loud steering!

Important Info re:2003 grand caravan power steering pump I used a 10mm with extra long extension for the back nut,,, loosen 1 turn only I did not need a deep well socket. They are 8 mm on top I used an extra small screw driver pushed in, and channel lock pliers to loosen the big hose ,,, go slow , be careful not to damage big hose. Important ,,, have about a some sort of hose to drain the fluid out of smaller line. Fluid will be coming out of the hose And the reservoir. Important ,,, Have shrink tube with you in case you break the tiny rigid vacuum line to intake manifold. I bought my reservoir at Auto Zone $25 This reservoir change solved the squealing , but it still shudders at low speed.

ordered the power steering reservoir for a 2003 dodge grand caravan, cost 35.00 with shipping . it was groaning ,made a lot of noise,sounded terrible . removed two screws on the top ,after i removed two hoses. bigger hose was very hard to get off had to work for a while finally slide off with wd40 and a screw driver to pry one side a bit . next the bottom screw was a 10mm needed a long socket the old reservoir will lift out. bled the air out with cap off,drove van ,great results nosie gone

I remove my reservoir drain it spray it with brake clearer and blow it out and reinstall and it does not cost me a dime but I need to do it once a year now or every 30 000 kms or so . I left that nut at the bottom slightly loose so I don't have to deal with it. Their is also a service bulletin that says if your van has the return line loop to add a cooler because the hose is too short and will cause low speed stutter.

Twice in two weeks I have blown hoses on my van, removed the reservoir, cleaned it, so much shit in it, runs much better.

@Begbucks Depends on the type of car.Honda & some others uses special P/S fluid.Most can use trans in the P/S unit due to it is hydraulic fluid.

brake cleaner does not work and I had better luck with the suggested carb cleaner but you still need to scrape the screen to clean it . I finally found a round detail brush that fit in the hole at the top and rotated the brush and part way filled up the tank with cleaner while twisting the brush over the screen . finally success the screen was pretty clean..

Before cleaning or replacement, simply fill reservoir beyond the maximum full line, and your cold morning whine problem will stop.

10mm/12mm? Please note: This video says that the bottom bolt (the one that's so hard to get to) is 12mm. Hard to get to is an understatement... IF you're trying to find and fit a 12mm socket onto a 10mm bolt head! All three of my bolts are 10mm. I wasted a lot of time trying to find and fit the 12mm socket onto my 10mm bolt. FINALLY tried the 10mm and in no time flat had the bottom bolt off. Must be some variations in Dodge/Chrysler factory settings........

@TheBell1423 For $35 it might be worth just buying the reservoir over trying to clean it. When I looked for my 2006 they were more money.... but maybe they came down or some aftermarket company is making them. Thanks for the info.

this only applies to 4th generation (2001-2007) minivans, the 3rd generation had a simple reservoir on top of the the right front wheel well, and didn't have a filter.

Fix worked like a charm. Thank you.

Are you guys shure than we can use atf+4 for the power steering? Please let me know

As I watch at 5:25 you show ATF +4. Please tell me you didnt put automatic transmission fluid in the power steering resouvar..sp..

Genius! Thanks for taking the time and care.

This video saved me a lot of money thanks

Thanks for Posting !

I took reservoir off and flushed with gas from pump tube back-- sloshing around and then blew her out with air hose. let her sit for a cpl hours then reinstalled and No squeal so far:))))))))))))))))

My Fasteners on top were 8mm and the back one was 10 mm

Thanks!! Big help and well thought out instructions

The dealer did this once already for me under warranty. I couldn't understand how replacing a reservoir and hoses could make pump whine. Now I understand and I have to do it again. Can the fluid be reused? It's not so much that I don't want to buy new stuff, I just don't know what do do with the old stuff.

Great video and instruction and it worked great. THANKS

Another guy said his 2007 did not have the rear 10mm bolt [this guy says 12mm - go figure] So I think it best to just toss the rear bolt and rely on the 2 top easy bolts to hold this in. Problem solved!

.I left the bottle on the hose and ran clean fluid through while running the engine and filling the reservoir at the same time to help clean out the lines...ok everything is back together but the pump noise is still bad, I cranked the wheel back and forth 15 times still bad ..

That was fucken awesome very nice job and save me money too thanks😍😍😍😍😍😍😎😎😎😎

Where did you get that cool syringe from????

Thank you for a great clip!! Big help for me!!! Peace out

Wish I had read the "10mm bolt on the back", I assumed it would be the same as the 5/16 bolts on top... jeesh, switching back and forth between metric and imperial is crazy!

Oh man! Thanks! I'd like to buy you a beer.

some years are not ATF4, make sure to check first!

Just finished my,works better than before thou I still have some air in lines any help?thanks great video

I did this and the fluid overflowed quite a bit while I was filling the reservoir. Now my brakes are hard to apply and work only weakly. Any suggestions why this affected the brakes?

any idea whats causing my 1999 to make a creaking noise while turning, the sound is at each of the wheels, and started occuring at the same time, which confuses me

$12.60$ at amazon. Crazy cheap, less than cleaning the screen. all these vans need this @ 80 to 100k miles

2003 NOTE: They removed the back bolt, and changed the top to to 8mm. That is all.

why did you use a transmition fluid?

Hell, when i replaced the coil pack on my van i just said to hell with the nut on the bottom it was hard enough getting it off of there so i just left it, you got the to bolts on the top and thats enough that resevoir is not gonna go anywhere so its gonna be fine without that dumb one on the bottom.

why ATF+4 transmission fluid and not POWER STEERING fluid...?

I just removed the old fluid Spray some carb cleaner in ....removed that...added new fluid ..problem solved