e36 steering wheel squeak

[Just-ify]

Hey, its me again (the resident n00b )

I've noticed that I have a squeaking sound coming from my steering
column when the wheel is turned. Its not super loud or constant but it is irritating if you're mildly OCD.

I took the car to an autoelectrician who suspects it could just be a connector that needs lubrication or it could be the (insert name of a part I'm not familiar with) in the wheel itself. The autoelectrician said he's wary of just lubing the wheel as it may interfere with the airbag system.

I then went to the local BMW dealership. They said the same thing quoting R650 to lube the wheel or R3000 to replace the part.

Has anyone else had a similar experience and/or know if this is something that HAS to be done by the dealers?

Tx again,
J

 

[ebrahim.achmat]

LOL, your steering setting ( high or low) is probably on its lowest...right ?
O know you wanna look ultra cool, but tweek it up a bit ( not that you looking at your petrol consumption meter anyways) and viola ! should solve the problem...lemme know..i had similar problem. ( tried to look too cool !)

 

[Doomsdaya]

My steering started to squeak over this weekend, sounds like hamsters and yeah its quite irritating.......

 

[DROP IT - ZN]

Hey, its me again (the resident n00b )

I've noticed that I have a squeaking sound coming from my steering
column when the wheel is turned. Its not super loud or constant but it is irritating if you're mildly OCD.

I took the car to an autoelectrician who suspects it could just be a connector that needs lubrication or it could be the (insert name of a part I'm not familiar with) in the wheel itself. The autoelectrician said he's wary of just lubing the wheel as it may interfere with the airbag system.

I then went to the local BMW dealership. They said the same thing quoting R650 to lube the wheel or R3000 to replace the part.

Has anyone else had a similar experience and/or know if this is something that HAS to be done by the dealers?

Tx again,
J

Slipring???

I had the same prob after changing my steering...a few squirts of Q20 did the job:thumbs:

 

[GTB320i]

I had this problem on my E36 as well. Chances are it's not the steering wheel inside the car. Pop open the bonnet and look for where the steering spindle column, spray some Q20 on the joints, my squeak was coming from there. Sounded like it was the wheel in the car but it was resonating up the column.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245961

 

[LPM320]

I had this squeaky problem with my 1996 328i, and after a while it got worse, to the point where the steering started losing the self centering action. After much research i found out that the main culprit could be a bearing/joint on the steering column exposed to the elements within the engine bay. As time goes on this bearing collects road dirt, dust , etc and becomes dries out and starts squeaking, the steering column is hollow, and therefore the noise travels up the column and appears to be coming out just behind the steering wheel. After a liberal coating of liquid chain wax, it was perfect again. The squeak was totally gone and the steering feel was restored. 8 Months down the line, still perfect.

Hope this helps....

 

[Just-ify]

Tried adjusting the high of the wheel - unfortunately the ninja mouse is still there...

Will try the other suggestions ASAP.

 

[hoosain]

could possibly be the slipring

 

[444YYY]

+1 it is the slipring.
It is the electrical contact, for the hooter and airbag....
Noise it not a concern...

 

[gconry18]

it happens to us all. Its either the slip ring or one of the lower bearings. Let me guess, the sound is mostly there when its cold but on hot days its barely ever present?

 

[Just-ify]

I had this problem on my E36 as well. Chances are it's not the steering wheel inside the car. Pop open the bonnet and look for where the steering spindle column, spray some Q20 on the joints, my squeak was coming from there. Sounded like it was the wheel in the car but it was resonating up the column.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245961

I had a look yesterday and took this pic.

Suspect joint/connector arm

There seems to be substantial oxidisation. Would you recommend using a lubricant spray on that rusted joint (I presume its that one that you're refering to)?

I'm wary of that spraying random parts just for the sake of it

 

[GTB320i]

Just-ify, I used Q20 on mine - It looked a bit rusted. I put a straw over the nozzle so I could direct the spray onto the part which was low down in the engine bay. Otherwise you are going to spray the stuff all over the engine bay which is not a good idea.

As far as Q20 being the best option, I am not 100% sure, perhaps someone else can suggest something better for lubrication. I know that Q20 is good for rusty parts that need lubrication.

This cured my problem for a year or so but when I felt it happening again I just repeated the process as needed.

 

[sclass]

Nx, so THAT'S what that is! :ty:

 

[Just-ify]

it happens to us all. Its either the slip ring or one of the lower bearings. Let me guess, the sound is mostly there when its cold but on hot days its barely ever present?

Sound is always there, day or night, hot or cold.

I lubricated the control arm but it made no difference.

I presume the slipring is the only other logical choice?

 

[GTB320i]

Did you turn the wheel & get the whole joint coated with lube? If this doesn't work then it might be the slip ring.