Power steering squeal

Assume the noise is coming from under the hood. If the noise only occurs at the far extreme turning point in both directions, this is normal as it is straining the power steering system. If the noise occurs all the time, check the level of fluid in the power steering reservoir. If low, probably a leaking hose or reservoir. Add power steering fluid to get level between min and max lines. Should make sound go away. If the noise does not go away and a flush of the system does not correct it, you may need a new power steering system, although this is pretty rare unless a leak has gone on for a long time with little or no fluid.
If noise is inside the car, one of the parts of the steering column or steering wheel may be bad.

How long have you owned the car before discovering this noise? Have you replaced the tires recently? I'm not sure what your squeaking noise sounds like exactly, but it sounds like it could be one of the two problems. If it sounds kind of like rubber squealing your tires may be the wrong size for your car and at extreme steering degrees the tires can rub on the car in a number of places. If the squealing sounds more internal like a muffled tea kettle and you can feel it through your hands (even slightly) while holding the wheel it's probably your power steering. If your power steering fluid isn't low then you make want to get your power steering pump checked. This is always better than waiting until your power steering pump goes out on you while you are driving down the highway (usually happens in the middle of a curve). I can personally tell you that one is no fun at all! :)

FIRST OF ALL TURN OFF RADIO REMOVE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. THEN REMOVE POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID FROM POWER STEERING PUMP.USING A HAND PUMP SIPHON. BE CAREFUL DONT GET POWER STEERING FLUID ON CAR PAINT IT WILL DAMAGE PAINT JOB.PUT A DRAIN PAN UNDERNEATH CAR TO CATCH POWER STEERING FLUID THEN DISCONNECT POWER STEERING PUMP LINES.REMOVE POWER STEERING PUMP ADJUSTER BOLT AND MOUNTING BOLT.REMOVE POWER STEERING PUMP.MOST OF THE TIME NEW POWER STEERING PUMP DONT HAVE DRIVE PULLEY ON IT SO TAKE TO A MACHINE SHOP THE WILL REMOVE PULLEY FROM OLD PUMP AND PRESS ON THE PULLEY TO NEW POWER STEERING PUMP.BESURE TO BUY NEW O RINGS TO END OF PRESSURE LINE.ONCE NEW POWER STEERING PUMP HAS PULLEY IN PLACE AND YOU HAVE NEW O RING FOR HIGH PRESSURE LINE.INSTALL NEW PUMP.ADJUST BELT TENSION.NOW BLEED POWER STEERING PUMP WITH FRONT WHEELS POINT STRAIGHT A HEAD POSITION.POUR POWER STEERING FLUID IN PUMP UNTIL FLUID LEVEL ON COLD MARK ON POWER STEERING PUMP DIP STICK.KEEP ADDING FLUID UNTIL FLUID STOP DROPPING. START THE ENGINE LET IT RUN AT IDLE ADD MORE FLUID IF DROPS KEEP FLUID ON FULL COLD MARK.ON DIP STICK TURN OFF ENGINE.CHECK TO MAKE SURE POWER STEERING PUMP NOT LEAKING AT THE LINES THEN.SAFELY RAISE SUPPORT FRONT OF THE VECHICLE WITH JACK STANDS. MAKE SURE VECHICLE ON SOLID LEVEL GROUND CHECK.FLUID LEVEL MAKE SURE AT FULL COLD MARK. NOW START ENGINE.LET IDLE MINUTE.THEN TURN STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT TO RIGHT SEVERAL TIMES WITH OUT STOPPING IT IN PLACE. CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID WHEN FLUID LEVEL STOP DROPPING.AND FLUID IS NOT A TAN COLOR WHICH MEAN LOTS OF AIR IN SYSTEM. TURN OFF CAR UNTIL AIR BUBBLES DISAPPEAR.CHECK FLUID LEVEL BLEED POWER STEERING AGAIN. DONT DRIVE VECHICLE UNTIL STEERING FEEL NORMAL.IF FLUID REMAIN TAN WITH AIR BUBBLES CHECK FOR LEAKS AT POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE HOSE ORING. AND CHECK POWER STEERING LINES TO PUMP FOR LEAKS.

your power steering belt might be loose or may have stretched due to weather related issues, or may have the adjustment worked loose. suggest you adjust the tension on the belt[power steering belt] youneed to have it tightened. you may even need a replacement pump. is it leaking fluid onto the ground? if so, it may be a loose hose or a busted hose. if you are mechanically inclined, please repost with specifics on if it's leaking fluid or belt is squealing? otherwise,i suggest you have it looked at from a professional. hope this helps and if you need further assistance with replacement of power steering pump, or directions of the belt tension,just ask. we will be happy to assist!

sounds like the water pump is leaking onto the drive belt for the steering pump, have the water pump tested for a leaking front shaft..

Check the operation of the power steering system.
Check the power steer drive pump belt is ok,
Check fluid level of Pwr steer pump is ok.
No oil leaks should be evident on the power steer system.

You must have a leak somewhere. The whinning noise is coming from the pump. They make that noise when they are out of fluid.

Are you seeing any puddles or oil drops on the ground under your car?

A power steering resevoir is't very large so it won't take very long or a very big leak to run it out of fluid.

There aren't that many parts to a power steering system either.

The leak would most likely becoming from a hose, a connection or from the power steering component cylinder or box.

Find the leak and repair it...It is a sealed system, if you are adding large amounts of power steering fluid, it is leaking out somewhere. Hoses, reservoir, steering box, power steering pump are places to check. You should only have to add minimal fluid to the system for the entire year.

The immediate squeal you hear is most probably the unit is out of fluid or has leaked onto the serpentine belt and causing it to slip.
Fix the leak and check your serpentine belt for wear.

The leak is probably from one of the hoses, you will only here squealing if the steering box gets air into it, not hearing any noise is a good thing at this point, just be sure to keep fluid in the reservoir to keep air out, just don't over fill it. First, try any over the counter power steering stop leaks from any auto parts store, 9 times out of 10 that won't fix you problem, but it is worth a try. If that does not work you have two options, get the leaky hose replaced, or just keep fluid in the reservoir.

Hope this helps

Chris

The steering sounds weird because the Power steering pump is starting to mix air into the fluid , it might make more noise turning than going straight. the places it most likely is leaking is the high pressure hose to the steering rack assembly , next would be the pump assembly , and the steering rack from there. the return line is more likely to have a seeping leak if any.

Hope this helps