Not a Chevelle question I know...but I just got a call from my wife (I'm at work) and she said she was pulling out of the garage and went to turn the wheel heard a "clunk" and her steering got real stiff - she said it was practically impossible to turn the steering wheel. When she got out of the van she found a bolt on the ground under the car (it wasn't there before) It's a 96 Dodge Caravan. Maybe the linkage broke free? Anything else in particular I should be looking for? I'm going to see if I can fix it tonight when I get home...if it's fixable.

Thanks in advance!

I don't know of too many bolts in the steering except for maybe a bolt off the power steering pump. Did she throw a belt or is the power steering pump loose?

Maybe as simple as a bolt that keeps the belt tensionor came out. See if the belt is still on and tensioned. Good luck. - John

Belt and pump are still intact, the Caravan uses a serpentine belt. I'm now thinking this could be something suspension related? She said the bolt was large(?) and is sheared. The half that fell on the ground is the top half of the bolt the other end that has the threads and nut is missing. I'm now thinking maybe a piece of the steering rack or tie rod ends? As I'm not real familar with the steering components of the newer vehicles. I'm just trying to eliminate the obvious, but I guess I won't really know until I jack it up and get under it.

Could be the pinch bolt on the lower ball joint on the affected side.

Could also be a pinch bolt for the tie rod end.

Jeff

Enganeer gets the prize! Turns out is was the bolt off the belt tensioner. When my wife looked at it she saw the belt still there (not quite in tact as she originally told me). The bolt snapped right in half and because these bolts are pressed into the assembly... I need to get a whole new tensioner. Cheap part but lots of labor...I had to take half of the top end crap off the motor in order to get down to the pulley bracket (V6 front wheel drive) and even then you need to be a contortionist to get at the parts. Now I know why I only stick with the oldies.

Originally posted by Bob70:
Enganeer gets the prize! Turns out is was the bolt off the belt tensioner. When my wife looked at it she saw the belt still there (not quite in tact as she originally told me). The bolt snapped right in half and because these bolts are pressed into the assembly... I need to get a whole new tensioner. Cheap part but lots of labor...I had to take half of the top end crap off the motor in order to get down to the pulley bracket (V6 front wheel drive) and even then you need to be a contortionist to get at the parts. Now I know why I only stick with the oldies. If you think that was tough, wait til you do the timing belt, on your back, in the driveway.

Ug I can imagine what a nightmare that was!...hopefully I'll be rid of this piece of crap before the timing belt decides to go. It's way beyond life expectancy for a Mopar as it is! 130k. Makes me love the Chevelle more and more each day! smile.gif

I WON!!! I WON!!! What did I win...? Pisser that the broke bolt in half. Can you drill it and use an easy out on it? Either way, does not sound like fun.