My 97 dodge Caravan front shakes when accelerating between 45 and 50 mph.have replaced ball joints/barrings?

Question

we dont know what else it could be...could it be the tie rod ends?...

we also have replaced the axle shafts

Answer 1

Here are the recalls for your Caravan,maybe this will help.


Important: The following recalls were issued for the 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

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Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 1,163,000
NHTSA campaign number: 00V268000
Defective part or component: FUEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Description: Vehicle Description: Mini vans built with 3.3L and 3.8L engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a vehicle fire. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire. Dealers will install a seal on the vehicle fuel rails to prevent external leakage of fuel from the fuel rail crossover tube, should the existing O-rings continue to degrade. Owner notification began on January 25, 2002. Due to the large quantity of vehicles involved in this campaign, the owner notification will be phased over the next several months. However, if a vehicle is leaking fuel from the O-rings, the vehicle should be taken into a dealer to have this repaired as soon as possible. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Recall date: 11-04-2002
Units potentially affected: 1,500,521
NHTSA campaign number: 02V293000
Defective part or component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSENGER RESTRAINTS:AIR BAG:FRONTAL

Description: On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process. This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time. Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage. DaimlerChrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. Owner notification began November 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 18,997
NHTSA campaign number: 96V215000
Defective part or component: BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:MASTER CYLINDER

Description: The master cylinder rear seal, between the hydraulic fluid and the vacuum reservoir, may not seal adequately allowing hydraulic fluid to be drawn into the power assist vacuum reservoir. As the hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder reservoir decreases, the level sensor will detect the loss of fluid and illuminate the instrument panel brake warning lamp. Continued operation of the vehicle with the warning lamp illuminated can result in extended stopping distances. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder on all affected vehicles. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): Vehicles inspected per Chrysler Recall No. 707 and found to be outside the listed suspect master cylinder date code range, must now have the master cylinder primary piston replaced (Chrysler Recall No. 714).

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 25,000
NHTSA campaign number: 97V200000
Defective part or component: TIRES:BEAD

Description: Vehicle Description: Passenger minivans equipped with P215/65R15 Goodyear Conquest tires mounted on steel wheel. The tires can experience a sudden air pressure loss without warning. Sudden tire failure could result in a loss of driver control of the vehicle. Dealers will replace the tires that were mounted on steel wheels.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 157,000
NHTSA campaign number: 98V185000
Defective part or component: EQUIPMENT:CHILD SEAT:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT

Description: Vehicle Description: Mini vans equipped with integrated child seats. The shoulder harness restraint on the integrated child seat can become difficult to extract when the safety belt latch plate becomes contaminated. This can cause difficulty in releasing a child from the restraint. Dealers will clean the latch mechanism. An extender will be added to the emergency release anchor for the child seat safety belts so that the release clips are more visible and accessible to the operator in the event that the retractor mechanism can not be unlocked. In addition, an instructional owner's manual supplement card will be provided.


This 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. CARFAX does not review or correct the information provided by this source. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety.

Answer 2

My wife drives a 96' Plymouth Voyager with the 3.0 engine.

I'm not sure how much this helps, but hers gets this funny, oh, how do I explain it?
It's not a wheel out of balance, nor is it a wheel bearing. It's almost like the engine shakes at about 60mph. If she lets up on the gas, it stops. It doesn't do it all the time. Just sometimes, and usually only at a certain throttle/accelerator position.

The motor mounts were my first thought, but they were good.
Then I thought CV joints. Nope, they were good too.
Then, I figured I had the right side strut replaced. for some reason it broke?

Well, to make a long story short, I've determined the torque converter or flex plates bolts have come loose and I told her to keep anything valuable out of the van, because when it quits going all together, to leave it there.

The thing is, the whole trans axle has to come out for a $2.00 bolt. And I'm not about to pay $1700 dollars to replace it.

I wish you the best of luck......

Answer 3

1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Recalls

Answer 4

Most of the answers are right on the money with the CV joints and bearings. I would also add tie rod ends and the rack and pinion unit to the list of things to check. My alignment guy says that the Chrysler vans are notorious for "loose" front ends and shaking.

Answer 5

It is most probably a combination of things, if a shudder while under acceleration, it is an inner CV joint. If a vibration while accelerating, outer CV joint. It could be motor mounts, torque converter. It could be seizing callipers. It could be a combination of all. Best fix, ignore it till it breaks, then you will know for sure without wasting money.

Answer 6

could be wheels, tires, warped rotors, bad struts. It could be anything.
try this, Swap the front wheels onto the back and the back wheels onto the front. if the vibration moves to the back of the car you can have the wheels checked for balance issues, or if they are bent, or if the tires are out of round.
a simple check that can save you money


BTW: to MR.knowitall (post before mine) the whole transmission does NOT have to be removed for the torque converter bolts. there is a cover that can be removed and the bolts can be tightened/replaced.

Answer 7

If it's front wheel drive it's possible it's the SCV shafts or joints or both.

Answer 8

axle shafts commonly wear out on these vans