Chrysler Repair: Steering Wheel squealing, power steering pump, rubber balloons

Question
Hi Roland, hope you can help me.  I have a 98 intrepid, 2.7 litre.  A few days ago it started doing the following:  as I backed out of my driveway, whenever I moved the steering wheel (even slightly) it makes a squeaking noise like two rubber balloons rubbing each other.  This noise seems to subside after driving for a bit, but I still hear odd noises coming from the steering wheel (whining?).  The steering fluid is right up to the top.  Could it be the steering wheel pump?  It sounds like a rubber noise.  Any help is greatly appreciated

Answer
Hi Jake,
The two most common noises are the drive belt slipping, the one that drives the power steering pump, and one of the valves in the power steering gear itself. The latter is usually harmless and you just have to ignore it. The former can be improved by increasing the tension on the belt, or if the belt is crazed then replacing it. The best way to tell which or where the sound is originating is to open the hood and have a helper turn the wheel gently while you listed for the location of the source of the sound. You can improve the localization by listening thru a narrow rubber tube like an old fashioned ear horn. Just point the tip at various spots until you zero in on the source.
Unfortunately I don't have a shop manual for the Intrepid with the 2.7 engine so I can't be sure how to change the tension on the belt, but usually the power steering pump is mounted on a bracket that is designed to allow the belt tension adjustment. When you turn the wheel is of course the time when you are asking the power system to help you, and so that is when the belt will be subjected to the greates demand and thus possible to slip. The fact that it goes away is a good sign. My '89 will tend to make a hissing sound when I try to turn the wheel when going very slowly, again a time of maximum effort for the system. And that sound in my case is dismissed as normal by a service bulletin though if you made a case they would put in a new valve. But now I'm out of warranty.
Roland