Noise with breaking effect

96 Mercury Villager: moaning sound, breaking effect at same time…what? Everything is well maintained. There is obviously something that has been missed.

We’re missing something also.
Under what conditions do you hear this noise?

Is it when you are accelerating?
Is it when you are coasting, without your foot on the gas?
Is it only when the engine is cold, or does it also happen after warm-up?
Is the problem affected by turning the steering wheel, or does it happen only when going straight ahead?

And, what do you think is breaking?
Could it be your brakes?
(I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist that “gimme” set-up)
;-))