Steering wheel scrapes, scratch and squeal sounds

[RonLariat]

Just recently (like the past week) my 98 F150 started making a sound in the steering column when I turn. The sound seems very close to the steering wheel and it is a combination of squeal and scrapes (like a fork on concrete), it's getting very annoying and is constant when turning. The sounds only occur as I'm turning in that if I turn the wheel it'll be scratch and/or squeal until I stop turning.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[glc]

Have you checked the power steering fluid?