Grinding noise coming from near the waterpump when I put the 04 town and country in gear.

Are you certain the grinding is coming from the sterring shaft, or is it simply transmitted through the shaft from the sterring box? Grinding of this critical aspect of controlling your vehicle is tremendously dangerous. If the noise happens when turning the sterring wheel, there is something critically wrong-get the vehilce to a shop ASAP.

Yes a CV joint could cause it. Look under the car with someone putting it in gear. If any of the shafts are turning it is a joint if not the diff in the transmission is gone. Good luck.

The power steering pump is bad! God-Bless! or the rack and pinion leaks, check the pump first. the pump whines if low on fluid or bad.

sounds like power steering pump is shot.If it ran out of fluid and there is a leak somewhere else,it will burn the pump up.

Chances are, the flywheel ring gear is damaged and the new starter drive gear just doesn't have enough to engage into so it spins and makes a grinding noise. If you can, try and turn the engine over a tiny bit by hand and then try the starter. If this allows the engine to turn over and start, this is probably your problem. Unfortunately, most engines come to a rest in the same spot(s) when you shut them off so the starter always has to try and engage in the worn area. The fix involves removing the transmission and replacing the ring gear...a big job.

This means you are burning out the transmission. Do not drive car in this condition. The trans mission could be leaking because of a broken hose. Trouble shoot under the car to see where the leak is coming from. Do not drive it because the grinding you are hearing is the gears. Not good. Check under car to see where leak is coming from.

Waterpump?? belt tensioner? pulley?

Look for traces of a light pink residue around the bottom of the waterpump and the radiator core support. The waterpump is near the firewall on the passenger side. If you still can't find the source of the leak you will have to have the system pressure tested. I hope this helps.