Two problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1998 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When turning right at a street corner in the rain the power steering will momentarily fail. The drive belt will make a slight squeal when it re-engages. It appears that there is inadequage splash shielding inside the right hand wheel well such that water is thrown up on the drive belt and crankshaft pully by the cocked wheel. The drive belt is relatively new but the problem also occurred with the oem belt.
Turning corner at appx 20mph heard loud clonk noise unable to steer vech,rack & pinion snapped, lifted hood belt had came off wheel was on the ground, Ford mechanic told warranty rep that it was my fault because I ran low on power steering fluid. I drove a 24ft tractor and 53ft trailer combination for 6 years across the us canada and mexico and had to do my own maint. And minor repairs to my truck does this sound like someone that jumps in and out of a car without checking fluid levels,or doing proper maint on their vech?? I only had the vech for 38days but always keep all fluid levels checked, before this happened I would hear a low humming noise when turning the steering wheel but the powersteering fluid was at the normal level.