Chrysler Repair: Caravan: front end vibrates when accelerating, grease leakage, cv joints

Question
Hello Roland,

I have a 1992 Dodge Caravan that is having front end shakes when under acceleration. It doesn't seem to shake when I am coasting. It use to only do this at higher speeds but lately it seems to be doing it at all speeds. I have fairly new tires, and I will have them rotated and balanced to rule them out. Any thoughts on other things that I can check myself?

Thanks,
Russell

Answer
Hi Russell,
The two possibilities, setting aside the tires/wheels which you will rotate/balance, are wheel bearings (but those generally will make a roaring sound more noticeable when turning and less noticeable when going straight) or cv joints (but those tend to make a clicking sound more noticeable when turning or accelerating). So I would open the windows and listen for sounds and with a helper in the passenger side also listening, and then investigate based upon the sound that accompanies the shaking, if any. If none, then I would expect the wheel/tire and ideally the problem will go away with rotation/balancing.
It might also be something simple like wheel lug nots not being torqued to the proper tension (95 foot-pounds). Also look at the treads for unusual wear patterns which would be possibly diagnostic of the cause for you vibration issue.
The main difference between coasting and accelerating is the presence of absence of torque on the half axles/cv joints so my suspicion would be a worn/dry cv joint (there are 4 of them). So take a look at the boots on all 4 to see if any are torn/show signs of grease leakage.
Please let me know if you find something interesting.
Roland