The 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan came with the choice of two different engines, the 3.3- and 3.8-liter, and two trim levels, the base Sport and ES. The Dodge Grand Caravan also came with an front independent suspension system consisting of struts. The length of time it takes for a strut to wear is relative to vehicle mileage and the terrain it travels.The manufacturer recommends changing the struts at approximately 40,000 miles. Change the struts when they need it, because it makes a smoother and less-bouncy ride, but it is also a safety hazard if you let struts go unattended.
Instructions
- 1
Park the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan on a level surface with the wheels straight. Turn off the ignition and place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Loosen, but do not remove, the lug nuts on the wheel you are starting with using a lug wrench. Lift the front of the automobile on the side you are working on using an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the frame of the vehicle near the jacking point and raise it up to the frame.
2Disconnect the brake hose bracket from the strut using a wrench. Disconnect the harness bracket for the wheel speed sensor from the strut if one is present on your Grand Caravan. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link using a socket and ratchet to loosen the nut. The stabilizer bar link is the part that connects the sway bar to the lower control arm on the Grand Caravan.
3Remove the nuts from the bolts securing the strut to the steering knuckle using a socket and ratchet. Hold the bolt with a wrench to keep it from turning when you are removing the nut. Open the engine compartment and remove the upper strut nuts using a socket and ratchet. Pull the strut out from under the Grand Caravan and lay it on a flat surface. Place the spring compressors on the coil spring. Tighten the spring compressor bolts using a socket and ratchet until the pressure is off the assembly.
4Remove the nut from the piston rod using a wrench. Remove the spring seats and coil spring from the old strut. Place the spring seats and coil spring on the new strut. Install the piston nut using a socket and ratchet. Remove the spring compressors by loosening the adjusting bolts with a socket and ratchet. Install the new strut assembly on the Grand Caravan and loosely install the bolts to secure the strut to the wheel knuckle.
5Install the upper strut nuts and tighten them to 21 foot-pounds using a torque wrench. Tighten the bolts securing the strut to the steering knuckle to 60 foot-pounds using the torque wrench. Connect the stabilizer bar link and torque the nut to 65 foot-pounds with the torque wrench. Connect the wheel speed sensor to the strut and torque the nut to 10 foot-pounds if one is present on your Dodge Grand Caravan.
6Connect the brake hose bracket to the strut and torque the nut to 10 foot-pounds using the torque wrench. Place the wheel on the Grand Caravan and tighten the lug nuts using the lug wrench. Raise the automobile with the automobile jack high enough to remove the jack stand from under it. Lower the Dodge to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts again using a star pattern to make sure they are tight. Repeat the procedure on the other side of the Grand Caravan.
