I have a 1998 Tracker.  If I turn the heat or A/C on, the blower motor makes a noise like something likes leaves are stuck in there.  I had a 1988 Ford Van that used to get leaves in there. 

Is there an easy way to get to the "squirrel cage" part of the fan and clean the debri out?  The manual says all kinds of stuff about removing the steering wheel.

You can get to it by removing the glove box & setting the vent control to recirc. There's a plastic grid in front of the opening, but you can stick your fingers in there or make a tool out of something like a coat hanger.
When I had low air flow I dug in there to find a mouse had made a nest in the 'squirrel cage' (guess it was now a 'mouse cage'!  ) out of the paper towels I keep in the glove box to check oil etc. *Goes to check oil...* "Dang I know I put a paper towel in there!!" I was able to clear it out with my fingers... & the mouse met his demise in a trap 2 days later.  They just can't resist peanut butter! 

Hth,
Fuzz

I think you can also drop the motor assembly out the bottom, by removing a few screws.
Although, the way I usually clean them out is by removing the duct between the motor housing and the center duct housing and then you can use a combo of compressed air and a shop vac and get most all the stuff blown/swept out.

Thanks for the info. and you are right.  Mice can't resist peanut butter.