I have a 1998 ford ranger its a3.0 v6 but this may have nothing to do with the problem.

Ill start off with saying i went coyote hunting this past weekend and we drove through mud water, and some big potholes, or ruts. it has been warm ever since i got my truck no real coled weather. Well the cold weather came in on tuesday. Well it could be coincidence but my truck started squeaking on the chasis a couple of spots maybe but the biggest around the front left tire.

Also when i turn my steering has a god awful screech to it, and I was just wondering if anyone knew what it might be

I was wondering did i tweak the truck by running throuhg the pothole, or ruts. Or cuold it be that the cold weather is making it squeky.

Just looking for some possible answers.

Thanks

 

The squeek from the chasis is prob the balljoints going bad, that is common,

Also when you turn it is squeeking have you checked your power steering resevoir? Is it low with fluid? If it is fill it up with atf fluid as that what it takes. If it comes back you have a leak somewhere and most likely your rack and pinion is bad check underneath to see if its leaking from the tie rod end boots on the rack and pinion.

If its just squeaking while running its the serptine belt and prob needs to be replaced to fix that just get a new belt, goodyear gatorback belts are one fo the best and will get rid of the squeek. My 98 with the 3.0 always squeeked after it rained or was damp and it stopped doing it after I put a goodyear on.

 

Another common squeak when going over bumps in particular is the rubber bushings where the sway bar attaches to the frame.

 

I just got new upper and lower ball joints (both sides) and a new tie rod.
My ranger is a 99 and did the same thing ( squeaked when went over any bump) Also my steering whenever turning it it made a squeak. After the fix it didnt make any noise . would check that out