I have a 99 Dakota 4x4 318 and it has now started to squel and make chirping sounds when im driving. I was backing out of the driveway and i turned the wheel and the it made a squeling noise and it isn't the belt. I believe it is the power steering pump or something.I think it's because it's 20 degrees here in Lee's Summit. When the truck is neutral and i rev the engine it doesn't make the noise, but once i start driving it makes a loud annoying squel and it is starting to make me mad. Once the engine gets up to temp it goes away. I've tried lubing pullys and nothing is working. Anybody know if it is the power steering or just the syptoms of cold weather?

 

this is a symptom, sort of, it isn't "normal" but most likely it isjust cold, try flushing your power-steering fluid, may be your belt tensioner, beltor the pump too, but try that first.

 

Could be the belt. When you say that you "lube" the pulleys, are you using belt dressing? If you are using something like WD40, or another lubricant, you are in fact hurting yourself. The lube will not allow the belt to gain optimal contact with the pulleys. Also, using a petrolium based lube like WD40 will eventually start eating away at the rubber.

 

Yeah I didn't use wd40 and nothing got the belt. The noise just started out of the blue one morning. Like this morning it didn't make the noise, but it probably will when i leave to go home. Im' going to drain the fluid and replace this week.

 

mine squealls when its -10 or below. last week it got to -25 and I didnt have any power steering until things warmed up a lil bit. but I woud change your fluid, that will help it out a bit.

 

I put a new pack and pinion in my 2000 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 4.7engineabout two yrs ago. It appears like the damn thing is going again. Its a bitch to turn the steering wheel early in the morning when its extremely cold outside.I put a bottle of that Lucas Rack/Pinion stuff inside the power steering container and it helped out alot.