I have a 2004 Town & Country and 3 or 4 weeks ago, I had to replace the steering rack as it was leaking at one of the seals and was groaning at the power steering pump. It was a do-it-yourself job with a neighbor who is very handy. Vehicle drove fine for 3 weeks or so with no noise and no leakes. Now it is making the groaning noise again and I noticed a power steering fluid leak. Darn neighbor went out of town for several weeks so he can't help. I figured, it is only 3 bolts and a couple hoses, so I can handle this job. I can't figure out how to get access to the bolts. I removed the air filter housing and hose that runs to the engine. I'm left with a rubber A/C hose and some aluminum canister (2 tubes attach to the top) that are both in the way of getting a socket on the bolts. Anybody know the trick? I spent 3 hours screwing with it and can't figure it out.

I removed the fluid and put new ATF+4 in and the noise is gone. Drove it around the neighborhood for 5 or 10 minutes and everything seemed fine. But, I let the vehicle sit for a while and now I have fluid on the garage floor. So I figure the pump is shot, although I can't see the source of the leak. I'm figuring it is on the bottom side and I can't see it because the water pump is in the way.


Thanks,
Russ

 

The repair manual says to remove the wiper module. I didn't do that originally. Could that be the way to get the extra room needed for accessing the pump?

Russ

 

Removed the wiper module and that added about 8" of working space. Much easier to get to the power steering pump with that removed. I was able to get the pump out last night.

 

Hey, I hope you are still out there. I am using instructions from alldata and they refer to the wiper module but do not give instructions to take it out or even a picture of what it is. So if I take off the winshield wipers and the black cover just below does that also remove the padding part below the wiper mechanism? I can see having more room with that removed but it looks like I would have to take off all kinds of crap because it goes the full lenght of the engine compartment. Am I wrong?

also did you have to loosen any air conditioing components, it looks real difficult to get those 3 bolts off, as well as the high pressue line.

Any help would be appreciated.

Paul

 

I had to pull the water pump to get at the p/s bolts. I used a 1/4 drive to get the bolts out. I could not reach anything from the top. I am assuming the wiper modual is the whole tray that holds the wiper motor and linkage, still would be hard because I have an air conditioning hose running right down the center of the space I had and was fairly rigid. It was not bad once the water pump was out. Mine is a 2001 Auto with Air 3.8l.

My van still has a woobley knock sound at 550 RPM (when in gear standing still) take it out of gear ideling at 800 and above it goes away. Kind of a wruck, wruck, wruck.

I have replaced the Water Pump, P/S pump, Idler and tension pullys.

Anybody know? I have heard it can be the Harmonic balancer or the P/S rack. My balancer seemed tight, changing the rack would suck.

Thanks,

Paul