A high pitched, very loud, whining noise seems to be coming from front of van and no, I'm nopt referring to my wife. The noise usually stops once I stuff a (clean) rag in my wife's mouth (kidding!). Actually the noise stops after driving 10 miles or less. So... I ask two Questions for the Ages...

1) What the hell is the problem? Power steering? Steering fluid? Steering fluid pump? Boots leaking? (I know-check the heel and soles).

2) What needs to be done to make the noise go away? I know, I know... divorce the wife and/or unload the car. But seriously folks... Open the hood and violently threaten all of the engine parts, mentioning each by name? Put a Mob hit on the car? Wear ear plugs and learn to live with it? Start drinking earlier in the day?

Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks.

K.Allen Jenks, OK

We purchased this van when it was a little over a year old in the spring. That fall when the temperature outside dropped it started making a very loud squealing noise when you turn the wheel. We took it to a Dodge dealership and of course it didn't make the noise for them. We took it back when they had the power steering hose recall and they replaced the hose and kept it overnight to try to get it to make the noise when it was cold. It didn't make the noise and after that hose replacement it didn't for about 6 mos. Then it started making the noise again when it was cold. A couple years ago we had the fluids flushed and it stopped making the noise again for about 3 mos and then our friend who is a mechanic thought it was the rack and pinion so he replaced that for us ($500)... it stopped for a few weeks again but the noise is back. We have had it looked at numerous times and noone can seem to figure out what it is or they don't hear it. Still makes the noise and everyone I drive by hears it!

After having the standard flushing of transmission and power steering fluid strange sounds began to emerge from the vehicle. Had to take it back to the dealer 5 or 6 times. The power steering was eventually replaced. There is still a small noise coming from the pully's, and the air conditioner does not work now. Dealer seems as if I am a trouble maker and an inconvenience to them. Take it to my own mechanic now that the warranty is done. I work for a company that supplies DCX with there brake kits, DVD's..... It has been brought to my attention that the dealerships are were Chrysler makes there money. So buyer be were and take your vehicle to an HONEST mechanic.

My biggest mistake was allowing the dealership to replace the power steering hose for a recall. Ever since then I have had constant noise, squealing, and intermittent loss of power steering. They have replaced the pump twice, the rack, the hoses, the filter with no success(About 5 times in shop for this problem). Seems to work for abit but comes back. I've seemed to do more help by adding additives. I have pretty much given up. No wonder more people are buying foreign:) I also own a 2004 Caravan with absolutely no problems, but I have not brought it in for any recalls and never will with their track record. Cause their own problem, then can't repair it, figures.