Sqeaking on start up and turning steering wheel

Hi,

I have been experiencing a squeaking sound when I start my car up for about 30 seconds and then it goes away. Also when I pull off there is squeaking sound when I accelerate and move the steering wheel. This is only until I drive about a block and then the sound goes away.

Basically anytime the vehicle is parked and then started and used, the squeaking returns.

I did just get some brakes done (front and rear) for an inspection but it doesn't sound like the brakes. I also had the belt and alternator changed a few months ago.

Any ideas?

98 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L - 88,500

Do the two squeaking situations (startup and turning) sound different?

Several people on this forum (including myself) have had squeaky ball joints that show up when turning the steering wheel. Technically, the joints are "sealed, permanently lubricated" units - but I've had good success getting rid of the noise by greasing them with a grease gun needle fitting.

There's reference to this technique in the 'General Windstar Info' sticky: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=672854

I presume the squeaking sound at startup is engine related (i.e., nothing else is yet moving on the van). I have heard of serpentine belt idler pulleys getting squeaky (though my Windstar hasn't had this problem). This might be related to the alternator/belt replacement you had done. Can you characterize the noise, or more accurately determine its location?

It sounds like it is in the area of the belt but then it does it turning also. The sound doesn't really change and seems to be consistent. It's weird it started now since the belt was replaced a few months ago.

It happened to me the same after I've changed the belt...whenever I was starting the car I had this noise and after worming up was ok and I was baliming the steering pump or the bearing from alternator. It took me few months running like that and at one of the garage checking they've told me that I have to change the belt...I said that is impossible to worn out the belt in couple of months...but I realized that they were having problems to identify the right belt because it's a common problem for Windstar to have two belts not very much different and if you install the wrong one is going to work but with noise...soon as they put the right belt the noise was gone.
Then also check the level of steering fluid...when the car is cold the fluid level is low and the pump is making more noise till the fluid is worming up...check the fluid level before you start the engine.

Sounds dead on with what I'm experiencing now. I will double check to see if the belt is correct. I will also check the fluid in the power steering. Thanks for your feedback. What year Windstar do you have and what was the exact belt #?

Windstar '97, 3.8 L engine...about the belt part number I can't say but the guy who find the problem was from Mr. Lube...it could be confusion between 3.8 L and 3.0 L:shakehead