steering problems/ noise from inside the steering wheel

[gazza]

good morning Lady and gents

got a slight irritating problem with my steering wheel on the E36
when i turn or even just shift lanes, it sounds as if there is a spring that has come loose and is rubbing on some steel, when this happens the steering feels a little tighter.
i have removed the covers surrounding the ignition section, but cannot see any problems. has anyone had this before, any suggestions?
:mmm:

 

[Dave]

Does it sound like it affects the engine?

Mine did the same and it turned out to be my steering rack. first check that your power steering fluid isn't low.

 

[Jandre]

Would be interesting to hear what the others say, as I am experiencing something similar on my e36. Again, it feels as if the steering becomes heavier (Only for a split second) and sometimes you can hear a slight grinding sound as well.

I suspect it is the slipring on mine that is going.

Any comments/ suggestions guys?

 

[veridico]

Its a common problem with e36's, it sounds like a metal on metal scraping sound?

Check out this link, it worked for me.

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

 

[Dave]

i think mine was something along those lines as well, but my mech had a second hand steering rack lying around, so we swapped them and the problem went away

 

[gazza]

thanks lads, ill have a look, its a weird sound, coming from my steering wheel, fluid is full, pump and rack is sweet.
maybe its the bearings, will have a look see, any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[gazza]

ok so i did the spraying of the bearings, and bugger me sideways, its gone.... for now
thanks boys
:clap:

 

[veridico]

Good good, it worked for me a while back, still is working well, hasnt returned.

 

[Tlvivo]

I have this problem on my e46 - it just sommer happens especially when I am in the tightest of corners - and it goes really hard like its non power steering or like the car is heavy or something.

 

[Matt Q]

hmmm... had a similar problem a few weekends ago (just after the Argus).. whenever I turned hard right I heard a weird "scraping, screaming, scratching" sound coming from the left front fender and a weird burning smell almost like a pig on the spit.

I actually solved the problem with my wheel iron by wrapping it in paper towel and then gently running it around the lip of the inside of the arch and removing all the bits of cyclist from in there... the problem has completely gone away now....

 

[Hellas]

:facepalm: :spit:

 

[gazza]

matt, i think ill be joining you in hell as my warped fragile mind enjoyed the humour in that :clap:

 

[Spy007]

Remove Hamster from Wheel before taking car out