My 07 caravan worn tired and true and never let me down in 242,000 miles so far needs front strut should I replace the complete units springs and shock cartridge or just the shock cartridge ?

Also if I do just the cartridge that would require a spring tool to r and r the spring??????

This van owes me nothing but I would like to keep it around a tad longer it sure is handy having a spare beater van....

my advice would be to just change the complete assemblies. if you just do the shock cartridge, you need a compressor to do this safely, although if you have fab skills and know how dangerous a flying spring can be, you may be able to do this without using a proper compressor tool. but, then you have 200k+ pivot bearings, springs, and spring cushions that more than likely are not long for this life. if you figure in the other factor known as time, just opt to replace the assemblies. they are not that much more than just the shock cartridges, and if you are paying someone to do this, they are often cheaper due to the labor charge[s] involved. also, don't forget an alignment check afterward.

Got time to go to a pick-a-part yard? $15 to $25 apiece complete and sometimes you can find a fairly new replacement set to boot.

that would probably be the best deal going to keep a beater on the road.

Unless you have a compressor and want to but extra parts just buy quick Struts.Rock Auto has them at a great price.Bought ones for wifes PT my brothers caravan and more.They were cheaper than I could buy them with shop discount at local parts store.easy change.Lower bolts upper 3 and IIRC the tie rods.I can do a pair on the ground in about 45 minutes and Im getting old.Rocky

Buy complete very easy to do, not worth just changing the struts unless you have a lot of time and patience. Just did a caravan in the spring. With that many miles it will ride like new again.

Not just easy to install but most times bearin plates or springs are bad let alone the rubber parts.Just not worth the trouble.Then if you have to have someon compress the springs to change another expense.Rocky

Ok all thanks you've convinced me to buy the complete strut ,

Is it really easy doing the swap and is a alighnment absolutly nessassary? Never done struts before

the two bolts retaining the strut to the knuckle affect the camber setting, and as one is equipped with an offset washer, and the hole is egg shaped where that bolt goes, unless you are very careful on getting the face of the rotor or strut body back to the exact position it was before, then an alignment check is necessary or you will experience abnormal tire ware and/or erratic steering/handling issues. i'm going to guess since you have asked this question, you probably do not have the tools necessary, nor the experience needed to accurately measure the original strut and get the replacement strut back to this setting. please don't take this as a slight to you. this was not my intention. just not many hobbyist mechanics have the tools or alignment experience necessary to check alignment at home.

IIRC the 07s the bolts dont adjust camber.Been a few years since i did one at the shop.The early ones it adjusted them.Now I think they just hold it tight.I think they made an adjustment setup to replace the one bolt so it could be adjusted.An alingnment is always recommened after frt end work.Just good insurance as long as the guy doing it knows something.Ive seen steering wheels be way off etc after some are done.I always tried to get mine dead straight.Rocky

Ive done the complete strut twice. Once had the car sitting higher. Yes higher than possibly the worn originals but higher than even when the car was new. Five years later it was still too high.
The other time is was SO high my axles were not happy. There was no way these were going to settle. It was not even the same spring rate. Quite often the aftermarket will only have 1 assembly to cover ALL interchangeable models when in fact the OEM has different combinations.

Only had 1 or 2 that sat high and didnt settle.Some were a bit but settled in.Ive installed maybe 400 or 500 sets in the last years.Probaly 1 or 2 like I said were high and didnt settle.Most see old tired springs and shock and when new is in yeah it will be higher.Have a set on the PT nephews GMs have 2 sets His Caravan a set.All are great.We use Monroes on all installs.Had problems with other makers.Rocky

rocky, what year did the body change ? the info i quoted was from an 02 i have, and it had the one hole slotted on the knuckle and a cam bolt on the strut. was there a change made during that body style ? or was 07 the next generation ? i know there is a camber adjustment retro-fit package available that you need to slot the knuckle on the lower bolt hole to achieve the adjustment that was on the earlier models, but i don't know what year the change took place. you have done way more of these than i have, so help me out on this. and you sure are right about the steering wheel being way off on some strut changes after the work is done ! i have had that happen to me way more than once no matter how much care i took on pre-measurement and duplicating that exact measurement on the replacement struts. frustrating for sure, but at least i have alignment tools and plates to rectify that situation. i just HATE a crooked steering wheel !

Thanks lots of experience and tools here but no I can not do a front end alignment, I order two struts 104 dollars each going to swap them out next week then send it immediately to a front end shop, looks like easy job on Youtube , I'm looking forward to the new road feel ,,,,,,, Any advice on the CV Joints, they are original with 242,000 how does one know if there worn out?????

Thanks