astro all wheel drive | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 21 stranger | OP stranger Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 21 | hello, i lurk here alot, just don't post. i'm thinking about getting an astro all wheel drive van. for those of you that have had the all wheel drive astros, what are some of the problem areas i need to look for, and are there any years to aviod or seek out. i'm looking at a 2004 model right now. i want one with under 50,000 miles, so i guess, the newwer ones are what i'm concentraiting on. any feed back is greatly appreciated. thank you wildbill
wildbill
| | | Re: astro all wheel drive | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,286 | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,286 | The newer the better. The Astro was a constantly elvolving vehicle like the original Beetle.
'04 I beleive would have the upgradet brakes. But on the downside they have newer (OBD3?) emissions systems that don't take well to performance upgrades if that is something you want to do.
Look for play in the front steering, idler arms wear premature, as do the older 5 lug Composite brake rotors. Idler arms are cheap enough though, just make sure they are good or you will need tires soon. | | | Re: astro all wheel drive | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,224 Hoavc Chairman 2006-2009 | Hoavc Chairman 2006-2009 Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,224 | Keep fuel filter clean because fuel pumps are da*n expensive. 95 and up AWD isn't as durable as older ones use titanium or ceramic break pads what bryce said about idler arms and change tranny fluid 30000 or sooner
| | | Re: astro all wheel drive | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 21 stranger | OP stranger Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 21 | thanks for the repies, and sorry for posting this in the wrong section, should have scrolled down alittle more. wildbill
wildbill
| | | Re: astro all wheel drive | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,224 Hoavc Chairman 2006-2009 | Hoavc Chairman 2006-2009 Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,224 | If you need to replace the encoder motor on transfer case for the AWD pm me I'll step you thru it. It ain't hard but is a little tricky. | | | Re: astro all wheel drive | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 6,014 Likes: 1 Vanthropologist | Vanthropologist Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 6,014 Likes: 1 | Check out astrosafari.com as well. There are a bunch of their members who have awd and some who have converted to 4x4. When I was looking for my latest van I stayed clear of awd as it is costly enough to keep up on the maintenance with the regular van. Are you looking at awd because of towing ? | | | Re: astro all wheel drive | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,224 Hoavc Chairman 2006-2009 | Hoavc Chairman 2006-2009 Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,224 | Doug, Astro AWD is the most superior handling vehicle I have ever seen in adverse weather conditions. The older visious coupling transfer case models were almost impossible to tear up. And try as you might you could not get them to lose traction!!! | | | Re: astro all wheel drive | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 768 old hand | old hand Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 768 | And try as you might you could not get them to lose traction!!!
That's true. I'm from Quebec. My country IS winter!
Mathieu "Electric Avenue", my '79 Ford. | | | Re: astro all wheel drive | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,593 veteran | veteran Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,593 | And try as you might you could not get them to lose traction!!!
That's true. I'm from Quebec. My country IS winter! hey... my Region is winter, too...! | | |
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