I replaced the belt and still have a squealing noise when I turn the drum with the back panel off and the drum push into the front or am running a load of clothes. When I pull the drum a bit out of the front, the noise stops... am I going in the right direction?

It sounds like you either put it together wrong or did not clean it and lubricate it with white lithium grease. All bearings and support rollers must be lubricated with white lithium grease.