Brake/30K miantainence advice for 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

hi, my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan SE van has 28K miles.. the brakes are acting wierd. there is like a hissing sound when I press them. also. if I am trying to stop from 40-50 mph. then i get a shudder.. or knocking.? I saw that the brake fliud level was less and i topped it off with an ounce or so. a bit of improvement but not much. Do I need a front brake job. or is something else wrong ?

also.. I just do regular oil changes myself and get tires rotated at Sams.. So what major maintainence do i need to get as I am close to

30K. .

should I change the FUEL filter? should I change spark plugs? transmission fluid flush ?

Please advise.

vehicle is in S mid west so no snow or humid weather . ( Dallas)

Reply to
cheerful
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Anti-lock brakes? That could be part of the symptoms you are experiencing. Regardless, at 28K, it would be good maintenance to at least have the brakes looked over. If the car is still running good, and the trans. isn't showing any problems, I wouldn't be TOO concerned about

should I change the FUEL filter? should I change spark plugs? transmission fluid flush ?

They are all likely good to do, except for possibly the trans. FLUSH. Many people suggest simple drain and fill with new filter [if applicable], but NOT a trans. flush.

Plugs should still be good for a bit [unless you experience start/run/economy problems]. Same with fuel filter.

Caveat>>>> maintenance is first a condition of your diriving habits and vehicle usage, and secondly for your personal peace of mind.

I would suggest that if you can afford the plugs, trans. drain., fuel filter, do it. It certainly will not hurt anything. I wish to suggest a coolant flush, though, in addition to having the brakes looked at.

After all, if it starts and runs, it better stop. Have the brakes looked at first!!!

Reply to
Knifeblade_03

Wondering why you recommend not to flush the trans.?

I have a 2000 Dodge G.C. SE with about 65K miles and am wondering what I should be looking to do to it? It runs great so far. Haven't even done the plugs yet.

Steve

Reply to
Steve

At 30K miles, unless you only do all highway driving, you likely need new front discs and rotors looked at/resurfaced. On your question, I'd definitely change the air filter and fuel filter and also drop and clean the trans pan and replace the filter and fluid too.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Shuman

Its was the brake PADS on the front wheel, one of them/out of 4 was worn to the pad linnig. and the metal caliper was lettiing out the tell tale screeching sound. so I got it fixed just in time..

so 28K for the van is a bit early for brake pads.. and the remaning 3 were not that worn out. but got everything changes for 75$. i mean both front wheels

also. I got the fuel filter changed for 50$.

anyone can recommend on the spark plugs/ transmission flush and coolant flush

thanks.

snipped-for-privacy@registerednurses.com wrote:

Reply to
cheerful

Hmmmm..

ok thanks for the Transmission advice too.

I just visited a transmission shop for another car ojb , and the guy really did convince me that, spending 100$ on a flush /drain every 2 years /25K miles is essential to maintain the longevity of the tranny.

So that is the last item on my list... my van purrs other wise..

how about the Spark Plugs? any need for them. at this stage. my van is

28K and 3 .5 years old

-------------------------------------

Bob Shuman wrote:

Reply to
cheerful

I believe that the plugs are supposed to be good for 100K miles. That said, my 1999 T&C 3.8L had a slight stutter during idle at about 40K miles. After trying other things, I replaced the plugs and wires and it solved the problem. It has 78K miles now, 4 years later and still runs very well.

If yours is running well, then I'd leave them in there. You could try pulling the front ones to see how they look since that is simple to do.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Shuman

As far as avoiding a FLUSH of the transmission~~~~~~~~

I have read on this and other forums that a trans. flush is potentially more harmful than helpful. They seem to be of the consensus that simply dropping the pan, draining the fluid out, replacing the filter is the best way to maintain the trans.

1] It is likely possible that the flush [as mentioned by another respondent above] merely recycles and treats the existing fluid. That is akin to not doing anything in the first place, lol.

2] The flush requires unhooking the trans. lines to the trans. cooler [or radiator, car dependent]. Possibility that the hooking back up neglects to replace any seals or O-rings, or causes damage of some sort. Essentially, leaking could occur.

3] Since flushing doesn't usually provide removal of the trans. pan, you are still left with the original [not a new] filter. Somewhat akin to changing the engine oil, but leaving the old oil filter on. Also, any sediment or "sludge" that has collected at the bottom of the pan is still there.

4] And since the flush uses pressure to flow fluid into and out of the trans., the pressurized fluid can and usually does stir up that gunk in the pan and also various recesses and nooks/crannies in the trans. body itself. Thus, the new fluid can become contaminated, or the filter can become clogged or lose flow ability.

With that said, dropping the pan, while not always something a DIY'er can do, reduces the risk of problems dramatically. The fluid gets changed, the filter gets changed, hopefully the pan gets cleaned out.

Reply to
Knifeblade_03

Reply to
philthy

If one pad was worn dramatically more than the others I hope they checked the caliper to make sure the piston was retracting properly and cleaned and lubed the caliper slides. otherwise it is not really fixed.

nate

snipped-for-privacy@registerednurses.com wrote:

Reply to
N8N

Reply to
cheerful

I definitely recommend the dealer for transmission service, at least they should put in the correct fluid.

Reply to
Some O

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