How To Replace The Strut Assembly On A 2006 Dodge Caravan

[@izzycamaro]

This is an 8 year old video but is a great video with Great instructions and details. thanks a lot

[@mattobermiller5041]

Getting ready to do this, just saved my some time and learning curve! Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

[@jimthecarguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danielswift7776]

I did my 2007 T C and I don’t play with the sway link lower nut , unless your replacing the link. I use a ply-bar to add pressure and tap the link out up, using a rubber mallet. Don’t skip the bungee. This is the best video, and he knows his stuff., Plus you gotta love a Up State guy. Thanks for the video. Takes 20mins total to do the job.

[@jimthecarguy]

I'm happy to help thanks for watching.

[@ManicMechanic007]

Thanks for taking the time to share Jim. Great instructions and details.

[@jimthecarguy]

+ManicMechanic007 Thank you for your feedback and for watching

[@wyattoneable]

You do solid work Jim. It's easy to follow along and learn, thanks.

[@jimthecarguy]

+wyattoneable Thank you for watching .I'm happy to share my knowledge.

[@henryhecht544]

Thank you for making the video, just a quick question. I am replacing the sway bars as well as the struts, and I wanted to know if I have to have both wheels off the ground for the sway bars to fit. I only have one wheel off the ground right now and I am having a very tough time getting them to fit. Before you ask , yes they are the correct sway bars for my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan.

[@pendergra]

Thanks for the Video. You did a great job explaining the job with the right amount of detail

[@jimthecarguy]

Thank you for your feedback and for watching

[@jimvanderlinden7249]

Thank You for your time. I like to use antiseize as I may the next guy taking it apart.

[@tonyt8796]

Thanks for the excellent instructions. I replaced my struts on a 99 town and country. I expected the camber to be out but it seems to have caused a toe out. I replaced the ball joints at the same time so I was moving the steering knuckle quite a bit. Is there a chance I disrupted the tie rods or the axles? The axles spin freely and seem to be engaged properly.

[@eldoradony]

I just did quick struts on a Camry. I bought Moogs for the first time and they look like typical Moog quality and even come with all new hardware. My parts store wanted $150 each for Monroes. I bought the Moogs from Rock Auto for $184 for both and they arrived the next day.

[@jimthecarguy]

+eldoradony I know on line is the place to buy them if you have the time.You can never go wrong with Moog or Monroe

[@piratepete-thetruthisforevery1]

Great video Jimmie, my wife's Dodge grand caravan drivers side strut spring let go so its pushing down on the top of the tire in our laneway. Will the spring have to be compressed to remove the wheel? Thanks to your video I'll put on a pair of new struts afterwards.

[@jimthecarguy]

No if you jack up the van the tension on the spring will be much less. Are you sure the spring broke and not the strut or bearing plate? If the strut or bearing plate broke then you need to be very careful when you jack up the van. Keep me posted. I'm happy to help. Watch for the next free tool giveaway coming soon.

[@piratepete-thetruthisforevery1]

@@jimthecarguy Thanks for the additional info Jim, I think you are correct, its the plate that holds the spring that let go... The van was sitting for a long time so it probably rusted out. I bought a pair of struts this afternoon and I'll attempt to put them on sometime this week... I'll let you know how it goes... thanks again :)

[@piratepete-thetruthisforevery1]

@@jimthecarguy Got them both installed today! :) It went well, I used my air impact gun and it was fast... The spring was busted and I had to use a grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut the broken spring as it was all tangled up and pushing down on the wheel. Now I just have to replace the outer tie rod end on the drivers side (theres a little play in it) then get it aligned... Have you got any tips on how to get a power steering hose on to the same vehicle? I managed to get the old one off but theres no room under there to get the new one back on. I'm going to remove the windshield wiper motor assembly to get to the top of the steering pump. Its down underneath by the steering rack where there is little to no room.

[@8683roy]

I used quick struts on my caravan & according to the instructions your supposed to torque the rod nut to 60 ft lbs after installation but you can’t get a socket into the top of the strut cuz the strut tower is buried under the wiper cowling. I’m not hearing any banging over bumps but I’ve replaced struts on other vehicles in the past that did bang & needed to have the rod nuts tightened up a little but those strut towers weren’t buried & I could tighten them afterwards. Do you think the manufacturer makes sure to pre-torque the nuts properly on vehicles that you can’t get a socket into after installation like these caravans? Also, is it possible to torque the nut before installation?

[@toroon]

Decent video Jim. The quick struts are definitely the way to go

[@jimthecarguy]

+toroon 001 Yes I agree the quick strut is the best way to go.Thanks for your input

[@kennybobby9397]

Great thanks for your help and time! 👍👍

[@stuzman52]

Nice work Jim and using quick struts, well, makes it go quick. Keep up the good work!

[@jimthecarguy]

+stuzman52 Ya Terry I love those quick struts.

[@skullybike7189]

Thank you so much for your time. This helps me so much.

[@rbk7876]

Thank you, Just today I Replaced both Front sway bar links and bushings, But still have a Right side only continuous knocking sound while driving slow speeds or when physically pushing down on front fender, So I guess I need to replace front struts ? Any suggestions, Thank you.

[@antonleimbach648]

The strut had an “R” sticker but you installed it on the Left side? I guess it doesn’t make a difference, right? Thanks for the video, it helped me a lot.

[@rustywhite2174]

I had my front struts replaced on 2006 Gnd Caravan. Passenger side has a clicking noise when I push down on fender. Thoughts as to why? Also why is one of the three bolts on top of the strut longer than the other two? I am wondering if they were installed incorrectly. Thanks.

[@Night-hawk77]

Sir...is it safe to lift up with a jack so I can take tire off(right side).even though the strut came off from the top.??maybe I'm not explaining correctly. But where the three top screws are .I can no like longer feel the strut in the hole..it got pushed to the side when I lifted van up with a jack from front of van.so I'm concerned if tire will spring out with force or will the 2 21 mm bolts hold on to the assembly ??

[@rioraton]

So, it takes 1 hr each side ? Also, is it necessary to align?

[@stanley2004]

Alignment is mandatory.

[@r.l.s.6679]

Being from Wisconsin, that is actually the least rusty caravan strut I have ever seen, good video though, Thanks.

[@jeffreyeichelberger6550]

How many miles can you expect to get out of a pair of struts and shocks ??

[@SteveRobReviews]

Nice Jim , I bet your viewers and me would like to know what you favourite penetrating oil is.

[@jimthecarguy]

+Steve Rob Thanks for the advice I will specify on the next video.

[@rustywhite2174]

See previous. - To add,... these struts were NAPA strut full assemblies. Thanks.

[@jimthecarguy]

Rusty White yes check the stabilize links to make sure that they are tight

[@rustywhite2174]

Thank you! Pardon but I have another question: Passenger side front strut - the longer bolt is towards the fender. Driver side strut the longer bolt is toward the engine. Is this correct?

[@jimthecarguy]

Rusty White I'm not sure why did the old struts have longer bolts

[@777woodworks]

Nice video - simple enough to do, but the darn road salt they put down will make this job tough...

[@curtisbriand4265]

So replacing the struts, you'll require an alignment?

[@jimthecarguy]

Yes whenever you do any front end work you should.

[@curtisbriand4265]

@@jimthecarguy Ty

[@BillCarson-g4n]

Why dont you use Never Seize on the bolt and nut for the next guy to make it easier?

[@reddwarf60]

Thanks for the vid, Jim! I have a suggestion if you don't mind: A listing or at least a mention of the tools/sizes required would be helpful. A lot of us DIY guys still don't have all of the tools needed to do every job and sometimes have to buy or borrow larger sockets, Torx bits, etc. and it would be better to have them on hand before we start, rather than discovering we need them in the middle of the job! Thank again! RD60

[@jimthecarguy]

Thank you for the advice I will keep that in mind with my future videos

[@badconscience4986]

What is a knee assembly

[@bdmenne]

Very helpful!

[@JermaineAkaJCGakaMaineSt]

hey Jimmie, can u post how to change strut on a 2003 Cadillac cts. Thanks n advance.

[@matthewdalton]

You say at the end that you're going to grease it up, do you mean the stabiliser bar? That looks like it has grease nipples on it.

[@jimthecarguy]

+Matthew Dalton Good catch .Yes I meant grease the stabilizer links

[@JudoJonny5]

🔧!! Awesome thanks

[@jimthecarguy]

You bet!

[@danielswift7776]

Guns are fun. Get the torque settings and then mark every bolt after with paint pen or ask them to do so ,when you have the alignment done. This way you will know if any bolt backs out and becomes loose. Remember yours or someone’s kids are riding in it.

[@jimthecarguy]

I'm happy to help thanks for watching.

[@ihelpdogs]

Took me ten minutes to get the strut out, took 2 hours to get that f**$(#'in stabilizer link off. Inner nut rounded off trying to take outter nut off (both top and bottom) ended up having to cut them off with cutting wheel on grinder.

[@jimthecarguy]

Sometimes rust can cause a simple job to turn into a headache. You did just what I would have done cut it off.

[@Alan-ej6wb]

I gotta do this I hear a clunking while going slow over bumps it drives me insane

[@ExtremeRecluse]

In my case, I will be replacing the strut, tie rods, sway bar link and control arm so I will not be starved for working room

[@wysetech2000]

Just like my turd caravan. On my 3rd pair of links and bar bushings in 3 years. It doesn't matter what brand I use either. The latest links are another pair of Moog. Thank goodness for warranty.

[@jimthecarguy]

+wysetech2000 Ya they just don't make the parts like they use to.

[@4cClubT]

Caravan 3.3 6 cyl gas guzzlin bag a bolts, 6 is the new 8, whoever would buy one a these is throw'n there $ away

[@bbtube20bigbug54]

Oh my God! He broke the bolt!

[@jimthecarguy]

Thanks for watching.

[@Tobeydorgaimaj]

Lmao I seen that 😂