99 Dodge Caravan

[Mopar1973Man]

Well I'm still on my way of fixing up my mini van. I just got my new tires for $380 installed and balanced. Really made it a better ride, smoother without the broken belt. So far I've only been running this mini van locally. Now with new tires I'm willing to travel now longer distances. No issues, no leaks, no performance issues. Just cheap tires but fresh rubber does better in the snow for control and just a bit better traction wise. 

 

Today I've got to haul out to Cascade ID let's see how it does.

[Mopar1973Man]

After having tires replace with fresh rubber I found out I've got a bad rear wheel bearing. Shouldn't be too hard to replace. What tip me off is the change of sound as you lightly rock the steering back and forth at road speed.

[Doubletrouble]

 If I recall the rear wheel bearing on those vans are pretty easy to do.

[Mopar1973Man]

Yeah I looked at the side of the worn bearing. 4 bolts and bearing comes out. While I'm down in Parma ID working on a customer's pickup I got a shot at 1 bearing for 48 dollars at AutoZone in Ontario, OR. Can't complain.

[Mopar1973Man]

Well I got more repaired on the Caravan. New front windshield, new rear view mirror, new tires, rear left wheel bearing, front brakes, etc. Surprising the interior water leak was rust holes around the windshield glass. That's all fixed. As for fuel mileage is super good I've topped this 4,200 pound van to 25 MPG. Typically around here you'll see about 20 to 22 MPG. 

 

Oh for information value I did the weight on the axles a d calculated the tire pressures and it turned out 34 PSI in the front tires, and 26 PSI in the rear tires. Rides nice and tire wear is nice and flat so far.

 

A/C was recharged, it is super cold all the way to the rear of the van. All the rear controls work good. Heat will fry you out, A/C will freeze you out.

 

I know I'm coming up on an oil change soon, should do a full fluid dump. Power steering, transmission, brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil.