2006 Chrysler Town and Country Bad Ride

I sometimes wonder how the Romans and old carriages drove. The invention of petroleum has changed the world in so many ways. I thought that oil deposits were a billion year old garbage dump.
I would check the tires by either replacing or rotating them. The door opening(drivers) tells you the recommended pressure and you can easily drop it down a couple of p.s.i. in the colder months. Some new cars and mini-vans go as low as 26p.s.i.. Number one complaint. On new vehicle. The factory always set them at 42.

I just put new tires on the van, but the probelm existed with the old tires also. I checked the door jam and the factory PSI is 36 which is where the tires are inflated to. Any other ideas?

I'm sorry that this is a nuisince to you and your wife. But glad that you have addressed the tire issue. Yes I have ideas.
Inflate front tires to 32, inflate rear tires to 30. Drive it and get back to me. I cannot believe this service. The van was not an Olds Cutless, but did have a comfortable ride. Better(in my opinion) than other American mini-vans. Not unsafe to reduce pressure in lower temps. Many cars, same weight ran at 26 factory recommended. Not yours though. I just want to know. Its up to you.
The reasons for my reply are four.
1. Take your time, I am investigating this issue with Chrysler rep. at this time.I need to know how this changes the ride, improvement or no improvement. I also need tire manufacturer. Old and new replacements. Don't mean to bother you more with the tire issue but can't move forward with out this info. and differences in ride quqlity. 2. There are other issues also in the mounting of the whole suspension to the sub, and unibody frame. There is not any way to check certain suspension parts, other then visually. But we will see what we can do.
3. There is no Chrysler at this time to re-imburse your time. When, exactly when, has this started, mileage.Was it like this new? What was the warranty?
4. I have been working for Chrysler service since 1983. Their mini-van was their best offer to the automotive industry, and I don't want you to be uncomfortable at any time. My cost to help you is 0. Don't have too much time, but I will do what I can. Chrysler is in limbo.
Sorry. What, if any, original equipment parts have been replaced since new? Thanks.

I checked the tire preasue and the front tires were at 32 and the rears at 30 to 31 so I don't think that is the problem. The previous tires were what were installed at the factory and the new tires are Firestone FR710's.

We bought the van with 34.000 miles and as best we can remember it has always had a bad ride. I have not replaced any suspension parts.

Thank-you. What is your current mileage? What year was the one you test drove and its mileage?
Can't be tires. Thanks for info.
Is the road being transfered to your seats too hard or are you moving up and down too much. !00% of both or 50/50. The struts control the springs and the bumps come through tires to k-frame through large rubber bushings. The upper strut mounts in a rubber cushion and has a retainer also. The lower strut has its ride transfered through the control arm bushings. The two sides are held stable with the stabilizer bar and it has bushings. How can you look at the upper mounts, and bushings with anything but a visual inspection? So it does look ok. The struts and upper mounts and bearings need to replaced for a smoother ride. The control arm bushing and rubber mounts are next, and drop and retorque the sub(K) frame, an alignment is necessary. So I would do it all at once to save the money on alignments everytime another replacement is done.
The van's struts and upper mounts first as 3 years or 36,000 miles was the most warranty on struts. And sorry that it cannot be checked by a visual inspection.
There is no recall or bulletins on these parts. And you could bring it to a front end place and ride with the manager. Make sure you both agree on the quality and improvement the replacement of his brand of struts will make on your ride. I would put Mopar parts, their probably the ones in the van you drove. This stuff always looks good on any inspection. Impossible to tell if the rubber has lost its characteristics of elasticity. ok
Many times, I know, it is a replacement of a part, that cannot be tested unless off the vehicle. Making replacement the only option, and the rear suspension is missed also. If it is worse while you are in the rear seat, maybe the owner before you had weight in it and that will make rears fail quickly(2 years). Keep your receipts, and maybe the new company will re-imburse you. Yes. 32-05302- 1347 T. Cox.

The van had 34,000 miles on it when when we bought it and now ahs 64,000.
The other van I drove to compare too was the same year as mine - virtually identical including being a Walter Chrysler special addition.
I would say that the road is being transferred to our seats - we are like bobble-head dolls.
I have visually inspected the shocks, struts and other parts and everything looks good
I have a lifetime alignment at Firestone so I'm not worried about replacing one part at a time.

A 'Walter Chrysler' special.
If you drove an identical van with the same mileage then you can replace your struts and shocks either fronts or rears seoerately or one pair at a time, make sure that you let them know at Firestone about your terrible ride and ask for a roadtest with the manager or lead technician. The subframe should be tightened properly before they do anything.
Keep your receipts to have mileage and proof of the repair. I doubt if the K(sub-frame) is loose because you would hear it like heck. Rubbers is visually checked.
New tires, new struts, new rear shocks will give you a much better ride. They failed pre-maturely. The previous owner may have had an exceptionally bad ride. From the road or weight. It depends.
I had this problem, also on my van. And in this case the rear shocks was all it was. Yeah. They do not last more than 2 years. Struts are a little better. Normally.
The visual inspection shows leakage. Not the internal hydraulic properties or their wear. After their removed, you can tell right away.
Maybe after Chrysler opens again with Fiat they will do something for you. Keep at it. Good luck and keep safe ok. I have seen it happen often. Reimbursment.
I never saw a Walter Chrysler model. Must have been unique. Good traveling.

Thanks for your help, I'll start with the rear shocks and go from there.

Yeah, ok, sure, good idea. Best thing.