Now that it's cold, my 03 taco won't stop squealing!

It squeals pretty loud when driving 20+ mph, and from what I can tell is coming from the rear. It used to be the case that once I hit the accelerator the noise would go away, but as it gets colder, it tends to happen no matter what.

Any ideas on what this could be?

My steering was making an awful noise a couple weeks ago, so I took it to the shop and they said I need a new power steering pump. The quote was also $1000, which seemed ridiculous, so I put anti-leak power steering fluid in and haven't heard the noise since.

I've done a bit of research online and I have a feeling this squealing noise might also be the power steering pump. it seems that the noise is coming from under the bed though, so I'm really not sure.

Any help would be most appreciated!

Thanks

 

My old truck used to squeal in the cold and it turned out to be some bearings in the steerting column or something. I wish I could help more but I am not that techical, but hopefully this will keep your post visible longer. (or you could just drive it in the summer (^: )

 

It could be a variety of things. What engine do you have?

It could be as easy as a loose belt, or it could be bad bearings in the A/C idler pulley, A/C ompressor, steering pump, or alternator.

First thing...is go outside, open your hood and look at your belts. Are they loose? To check...At the most open area, place finger & thumb on the edges and twist. You shouldn't be able to twist it past perpendicular.

 

Describe the squeel-is it steady or like a "chirp-chirp-chirp" that increases in speed as you do? If you say it is coming from the rear-you have to be positive-have someone stand at the side of the road and listen as you go by-they will be able to tell you where it came from. If the squeel is that chirpy one I say have your U-joints looked at-if it's definately from the rear have the rearend checked.