Why is 2002 grand caravan making funny noise when turning?

[bloomadore]

Hi. I'm brand new here, so I hope I'm doing this right. My 2002 Grand Caravan makes an intermittent vibrating, shuttering noise and feels weird when I turn the steering wheel either hard left or right. My mechanic says that it has something to do with the power steering and it won't effect the way the car runs. He says it's typical of Chrysler products and that there is not much that can be done to fix this.
What do you think? I'm planning on a Maryland to Florida roadtrip in a few weeks and would like to get any problems taken care of now. The car has 29,000 miles.
Thanks for all of your advice!

[tazman]

There is a recall on the power steering pumps here in Canada. Call your local dealership and give them your VIN number and they can tell you if your van is affected by this recall which it should be.

[Anaudiophile]

2002 Caravans have a recall on the power steering hoses here in Canada. When cold weather hits, they've been known to burst and leak all the power steering fluid out.
The shudder you are experiencing is a problem on 2001-2003 Caravans. There is a technical service bulletin out there that requires the replacement of a power steering hose at the cooler with a longer one. This does not always get rid of the shudder, but in most cases, lessens the severity of it.