Chrysler Repair: caravan shaking front end under power, wheel alignment, vibration noise

Question
Has there been an answer for the above topic, I've notice a couple questions but
no answer.  I have the same problem, but more noticeable below 40 mph.  If I
take my foot off the accelerator it goes away.  Checked tie rods, ball joints,
switched tires, and checked the motor mounts (although I'm really not sure how
to check - all the rubber is there.  thanks - doug

Answer
Hi Doug,
The fact that you can't get the right side wheel to turn may well be the symptom of the reason that you are shaking when accelerating: may be that tripod joint is so stiff that it prevents the rotation of the right output flange of the trans. I think you may need to remove the right side half-shaft and see what the condition is of the tripod joint. What you might try first is to lift the right front so the wheel is just off the ground and the right frame sitting on a jack stand for stability, the parking brake on, with the left wheel in chocks so it can't move the van, and then with the engine idling put the trans for a moment in drive which should drive the right shaft at slow speed and see if the vibration/noise is obvious which will show you that the right side drive shaft is bad. But be very careful that the ven doesn't roll forward due to the right side being totally locked up and the power output being sent to the left wheel (though at idle though the torque converter should allow the connection to the engine to "slip" just as if you were stopped with the brakes applied).
Roland
PS Thanks for the kind evaluation and nomination.



Hi Doug,
I think you need to shift your attention to the driveline rather than the suspension. Shaking as you describe when going straight forward under acceleration is said in the manual to be due to either:
a worn or damaged driveshaft inner joint (called the tripod joint)
a sticking tripod joint spider assembly (again inner joint)
improper wheel alignment.
So check those inner joints on both drive shafts to see if the boot has been torn so that grease has run out and the joint consequently dried out. I am not sure how to test for a joint problem without removing the half-shaft, but in any case this sounds like a candidate part for the problem.
Roland