Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan Front Strut Replacement

[@earlslife2806]

Hay the wife said you are getting a little bit chunky. 🙂

[@Tomsfoolery.]

I know! I didn't notice it until I was editing a video the other day. Sitting there thinking....man I'm getting fat! Tell Your wife I said thanks for noticing! LOL!

[@dimitrioshantgos9478]

Dude, that was an awesome video. Extremely comprehensive from start to finish.

[@trep53]

This exact job is being done on my 2015 GC as I’m watching your video. 20 years ago I may have attempted this job but now I’m happy to let my mechanic do it. You made it look easy! My van is at 98000 miles and running strong. So far it has only received normal maintenance.

[@Tomsfoolery.]

Well thanks for watching even though your not doing the repair yourself. I appreciate the support! Your vehicle has a lot of life in it yet. Just keep up on the maintenance.

[@trep53]

@@Tomsfoolery. yes sir, that’s the plan. BTW, here is a tip my dad taught me about taking care of an automobile; he said “drive like you have an egg between your foot and the gas pedal.”

[@trevlouie]

I did a whole front end work on 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan well a number of them i did the front end work. But the work applies to 2011-2020 Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Volkswagen Routan ▪️Wheel bearings, Rotor & Brakes ▪️Struts & Sway Bar links and the bushings for the sway bar ▪️Inner and outter tie rod ▪️Lower control arm ▪️CV Axles All parts were done in pairs. The rear i did the wheel bearing, rotors, brakes & rear shocks Ive probably done over 10 of these

[@tommason5689]

Perfect video for my 2014 T&C! I am trying to adjust the camber on front driver side because the tire wears on the outside noticeably more than inside. I measured the camber to be about +0.5 deg and I think it was like this when I bought it brand new because I saw the abnormal wear since the beginning. I guess I am the unlucky one. This video pointed out that the factory strut does not have slotted hole, which means the expensive Mopar camber bolts will not work. So I have to resort to using the regular camber bolt with cam on the shaft. These are thinner than the factory bolts. I hope it's ok to use these.

[@y2j514]

OMG! The air hammer on the wiper arms is the greatest idea ever! You should make a separate video just for that. I'm doing the struts on my caravan and stores are closed for Easter. Can't get a puller, was looking up all kinds of pitiful ways to remove the arms!

[@johnkirby1192]

Really no need. The cover lifts up far enough you can reach in and remove the nuts.

[@EasyFixShaun]

awesome step by step tutorial for this repair 😃🔧

[@Tomsfoolery.]

Thanks man!

[@zz2504]

Man keep doing what you do..(I've got one, just not sure where it is) sounds just like me...thanks

[@PHARRAWAY]

Nice work brother

[@Tomsfoolery.]

Thanks!

[@tomhendricksen1805]

Great video that shows the little details I will need in a few days. Why did you throw the radio suppression braided wire away? It might be needed during AM reception.

[@roxrollson]

Great step by step video. I learned a lot! Specifically, that I'll not be attempting THIS particular fix as a DIY project 😂

[@kerrymarris4260]

That canter bolt is for adjustment on the front end alignment. So if you get a grease pencil or I use a Dremel with a little cut wheel. And mark the bolts position, only the bottom one is necessary. bolt looks like a stop sign, find the easyest place to mark it from point to point with arrows pointing to that main wheel assembly. That way it can be put back in the exact same place. And like I did, I didn't get a front end alignment, which is one hundred dollars+. I need that money for gas, because I'm hauling ass to family on the east coast. From the west coast of northern California. Because I only get about 20 gallons, and that might take me 380 to 450 miles. Depending on the wind, tail or head. Big difference in my 2002 mini van. 23 in a tail wind, and 16-18 in a head wind, blowing right on your face. Yes I did mine, struts and shocks and sway bar links.cut one with a saws all.. those struts heavy so I drilled a hole in the top of each one in the best spot for tye wire,to hold it up as close as I can by hanging it off of a secure spot,on my open hood, I could not find any competent help , I swear all of the people that I thought I knew,, are really bad drug addicts. And can't hardly help themselves. So I tried two people I knew, guy was lazy, probably from no sleep, and the girl seemed to be drunk and a little mentally challenged. And I figured she needs sleep also. And drinking alcohol can make some situations worse.

[@janerikborge]

Thumbs up! Thank you. How much off does the alignment go out after the job? I am thinking camber would be out a bit.

[@PES000001]

Great job, thank you!

[@Tomsfoolery.]

Thanks!

[@jared8211]

Have to say thanks for a couple things: 1. Saying the bolt/nut sizes! 2. Being quick and to the point. Definitely don't need a run down on what each part does, how much it costs or where to get parts, or the childhood history of the guy that invented the wheel! Lol And 3, using a hammer and a torch for old parts! Done this for years on countless vehicles, never had an issue because I have a brain and can think! Lol, old part = scrap pile, doesn't matter how it comes out long as you don't break good parts.

[@sahil921]

Hi. are you promoting the brand of these struts ? if not how are they going up now in quality ?

[@deanjagger1190]

Don't you replace the other side now??? I think both should be done at once...

[@Tomsfoolery.]

Yes, I always do both sides.

[@billrimmer5596]

U have that air hammer down pat

[@chicagovasko]

Véry fun show greàt job.

[@Tomsfoolery.]

Thanks

[@fernandoorige7310]

What is the pressure (fl-lbs) on the top 3 nuts of each strut?

[@y2j514]

AllData says 21 ft lbs

[@eltonrattan333]

What is the socket size for the nut on the axle for the CV Joint? 32mm or 33mm?

[@Tomsfoolery.]

I don’t remember but I know it was a 33mm because I don’t own one.

[@trevlouie]

​@@Tomsfoolery. 32mm

[@rickshortridge3106]

Thanks

[@Bass.Player]

Why take the axle nut off? Struts are pretty heavy and not fun to hold up in the tower with one hand. A lift would help a lot...

[@Tomsfoolery.]

I removed the axle nut so the axle could slide inside the hub. If you leave it on, you will likely hyperextend the axle shaft causing the cv joint to separate inside. That makes for a bad day!

[@Bass.Player]

@@Tomsfoolery. Never had that problem? It really won't move much with the tie rod still connected....C/V joints next, I'm starting to feel a little vibration under acceleration if I lean on the throttle a little after the torque converter locks up... High torque area

[@calebcorbett234]

Didn't take the axle nut off and now I'm having quite the bad day, I would suggest listening to these wise words. The cv popped off not a great situation.

[@christianjohnson6519]

What brand struts did you use?

[@chkr00]

What would be considered a fair price for both front strut replacements if a mechanic did the work. I think about doing this, but i might be a little "in-over-my-head" with this job.

[@House_Stark]

Someone should invent a car wash that also sprays the under carriage of your vehicle with rust penetrant! Good grief that was a lot of rust!

[@roblambert3521]

The only question I have is if you just change the strut do you need a new alignment.

[@johnkirby1192]

In you carefully mark the wheel hub and bolt you can get away with not doing an alignment. But when you compare the cost of doing the mechanic work yourself vs a shop doing it, it's still a lot cheaper to get the alignment. The alignment shop should be close by though.

[@peaceandlove18]

I do my own repairs just so I can buy tools.

[@godfrey_of_america]

Everybody just puts in quick struts. No one wants to make a video showing how to take the springs off, etc.

[@Tomsfoolery.]

Most people who watch “how to” videos aren’t going to have a strut compressor. Let’s be honest, compressing a coil spring can be quite dangerous. Quick struts are an easy solution. Not to mention they come with new coils and bearing plates. It’s much easier than piecing together all the parts.

[@papabits5721]

Complete repair without owning expensive tools.

[@johnkirby1192]

It cost me ~$80 to take the new struts to a shop to have the springs swapped. About the same as buying them with new springs. No point in saving the springs anyway, they are worn just as much as the struts.

[@kylechapin1057]

Make a KZbin channel and do it, stop crying

[@loucifer4205]

Never had a problem removing my .rotors they come right off

[@sahil921]

Hi. are you promoting the brand of these struts ? if not how are they going up now in quality ?