Squealing, shuddering when shifting and turning

[tanisloray]

Alright, this does not affect my vehicle when moving at higher speeds, but when I am backing out of a parking space and turning my wheel hard to the left or right....the car starts squealing and I can feel hard vibrations under the car, once I turn the wheels straight again, it stops. Same thing happens when I shift from backing up and into drive, but only once has the car almost stalled.

Also if I am at idle, and I turn the wheels hard to the left or right, it squeals and shakes violently beneath my feet. This only happens when the car is turned on, moving slowly or idling.

Could this be a power steering issue? Something lose on the undercarriage?

 

[99RedCSVT]

It sounds like the power steering is causing a big load on your motor. That's what I would say the shuddering is. I could be wrong though. Haven't encountered the problem. Also it would help if I had the car in front of me too. LOL.

 

[zorrex]

This happens when there is air in the PS system. Check your PS fluid and make sure you haven't leaked it out...

EDIT: If you are leaking, that could be the cause of the squeaking from it splashing onto the serpentine belt. Do you have a 4cyl or 6cyl?

 

[SVTJON87]

thats what i was just gunna say. yes check your p/s fluid. it should be red. if its brown or another color have it flushed.

 

[tanisloray]

I tried looking at the power steering fluid, I need to try again though, because I really couldn't see if it was low or not. I have a 4 cylinder and when I looked at the power steering fluid, when i take the cap off, there is fluid right in the neck of the power steering tank, so I assumed it was full.

 

[Tony2005]

You may have a broken engine/tranny mount. When you are in Park, how is the vibration? What about in D? What is the condition of the serpentine belt?

 

[tanisloray]

There is no vibration when I am in park, other than the regular vibration of the car. I figure that all fords are built like trucks (or so my dad always joked) so their idle vibration is usually a bit more than most cars, and i have found this to be true.

The serpentine belt looks like it is alright, I have been wanting to get it replaced because i bought the car at 100k miles, I may need to flush the power steering fluid because it's reddish brown at the moment.

The vibration only occurs when I am turning my wheels all the way to the left or right in park, drive or reverse, accompanied by a loud squealing. Sometimes the vibration and squeal occurs when I am shifting from reverse and back into forward.

Also, sometimes when I am accelerating to a high speed, my transmission squeaks for second before the gears change.

 

[Tony2005]

1) Flush the Powers steering fluid. Use a turkey baster to suck out the fluid, fill it up, then drive for a day or so. Repeat two times and the fluid should be clear again.

2) Change the serpentine belt.

If those 2 things do not help, post again.

 

[FavoriteMystaque]

Make sure the power steering pressure switch is connected. On the Zetec is is near the strut tower (on passenger side back corner or front corner) of engine.