squeeky steering wheel

[m3f_bungi]

Has anyone had any experience with a squeeky steering wheel? This just started happening to me whenever I make any turns. My car has about 81K miles on it. Just wondering what the correct remedy is. I want to try wd-40, but I dunno if it will mess anything up inside the steering column.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

There honestly isn't a remedy. It is an M3 thing that you'll learn to deal with. In the winter, it gets unbearably loud.

[m3f_kbc8090_2bf8e58885]

i tried wd40 and no luck. i've searched on a lot of forums and found its the "slip" ring that connected to the airbag sensor or something. When i had the car checked out by BMW before i bought it they said it was the "contact" ring, so i'm not sure.



I think someone had some sort of quick fix. does anyone know how to fix this w/o taking the wheel off?

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

I mispoke when I said you CAN'T fix it...what I meant was...you don't want to try.

[m3f_M Drei_5afef164e7]

Well I get a "click" noise from the steering column at 12 o'clock. It happens when I turn the wheel on rough surfaces. Any idea what's wrong? TIA

[m3f_dboffa_1e4798cde8]

Pretty sure the squeak is due to the slip ring.



Bothered me at first when I bought my car; don't even notice it now.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

I have been told its the slipring, or possibly where it pokes thru the cowl panal. It wasnt' the slip ring on mine as that was changed out with the new wheel when I put mine in, and my old wheel didn't squeek in the car I swap steering wheels with.



I honestly believe it something right at the top of the steering coloum.

[m3f_RANGEROVER_7b960e334d]

the squeaking is due to the steering wheel coupling. your air bag light should be on and if not it will be soon. happens to all of them between 75k through 90k. bmw is prob. the only one who may be able to fix it due to air bag removal. cost is about 150.00/200.00.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

I don't think so. I swapped steering wheels from my M to another, and the one that came out of my car didnt' squeek in the other car. And the one from the other car that wasn't squeeking, now squeeks in my car. So, I think its something on the coloum.



I would love to get rid of this squeek as theres also a very loose feeling in the wheel thats assoisated with it.

[m3f_DesmoBob_e0fc43b145]

here's a discussion, with a number of different opinions. a lot of the peeps seem to have fixed their squeak:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85657&highlight=steering+squeak%2 A



if it does turn out to be the slipring, here's a brief discussion on the proper lube:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/all/drivetrain/all_slip_ring_lube.html

[m3f_beemertek]

I've fixed this problem by replacing the plastic bearing behind the steering wheel. It slides into the steering lock assembly direclty behind the snap ring and sleeve on the column. If you can grab your steering wheel and it has up and down play along with a squeek, this is your problem.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Mine doesn't have up/down play.. but it feels like somethings loose if you shake it somewhat.. if I go over some bumps, theres a ratteling noise also.



I take it this is fairly easy to replace?

[m3f_beemertek]

Easy if you have the special tool to reinstall the snap ring.. remove the steering wheel and you'll find one sleeve that comes off and has a groove in it for the snap ring. remove the snap ring and sleeve behind it then you'll see the plastic bearing it just slides out. the plastic bearing is like 15 bucks at the dealer.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Right. I'll grab the special tool from work one day. Thanks for the tip. :thumbsup:

[m3f_bmw4life13_0098c1d2b1]

how long did this take you to do? how does the special tool look like and where can I get it?