Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

Hi all,

Steering wheel squeaking?

Its not the slip ring or anything behind the wheel itself. Simplest fix I have ever carried out.

Open bonnet, on drivers side look to back of bulk head, and find this ( steering rack lower bearing joint )

Image

Image

Next, take a can of spray grease, and get in there and soak this big time!!

Start car turn wheel, repeat process and hey presto!! a much nicer steering wheel operation and best part, that annoying squeak completely eradicated!!

I would highly recommend everyone to grease this joint up just as preventative maintenance!!! real simple task with rewarding results.


Sent from my iPhone
Last edited by kjb1 on Fri 29 Apr, 2016 09:07, edited 1 time in total.
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

Most annoying part of all this, I had a spare slip ring, which I changed out, lengthy process, and did not solve the issue. Phoned my friend who used to own an e36 back in the day, he pointed me to this fix, and would you believe it he was 100% spot on with his suggestion. Wish I had called him before hand now!!! :) :) :lol: :lol: :lol:
Bonzo
Joined: Wed 21 Mar, 2012 21:52
Posts: 866

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Norfolk

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by Bonzo »

No squeak, but I noticed this under the bonnet, so I lubed it anyway! :thumb:

:cheers
Z3lda (Zelda), 1998 2.8, Montreal Blue, Beige Oregon leather interior and M steering wheel, Sports Seats, Wood trim, Chrome Line Interior, Centre armrest with Cupholder, Alpina Softline wheels, Chromed Angel Eyes, De- tango'd, Rear stone guards, Sport aerial, ASC front strut brace, Strong Strut Butt Strut and Body Brace, Uprated brake fluid, Yellowstuff pads 78k.
Vic-Z3
Joined: Fri 11 Jun, 2010 19:28
Posts: 915

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Redditch
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Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by Vic-Z3 »

I have a squeak ............................. I shall report back.
----------------- BMW Z3 Das Beste Auto -----------------

Mein altes Auto riecht nach Nudeln, hat dieses Auto eine Wurst Geruch.
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

Vic-Z3 wrote:I have a squeak ............................. I shall report back.
30 second job

let me know how you fare. I tested with a can of wd40 just to see if it would work. It did. So then went and bought some spray lithium grease ( bike chain grease ) and blasted it with that, silence.
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

Vic-Z3 wrote:I have a squeak ............................. I shall report back.
any joy?
Vic-Z3
Joined: Fri 11 Jun, 2010 19:28
Posts: 915

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Redditch
Contact:

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by Vic-Z3 »

Not had a chance today .................. :oops:

Will be on it tomorrow though ...... :thumb:

Change of plan .....Just been outside with a torch and a can of GT85 ......... :)
I am out in the morning early in the Z, so I can see if that has the desired effect.
Easiest preventative job so far on the Z though .......

I urge us all to do it .......... :cheers
----------------- BMW Z3 Das Beste Auto -----------------

Mein altes Auto riecht nach Nudeln, hat dieses Auto eine Wurst Geruch.
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

So, success?
Vic-Z3
Joined: Fri 11 Jun, 2010 19:28
Posts: 915

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Redditch
Contact:

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by Vic-Z3 »

Squeak Gone .................................. :cheers

Get out there and do it .................... :arrow:
----------------- BMW Z3 Das Beste Auto -----------------

Mein altes Auto riecht nach Nudeln, hat dieses Auto eine Wurst Geruch.
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

Vic-Z3 wrote:Squeak Gone .................................. :cheers

Get out there and do it .................... :arrow:
nice easy fix isn't it!!
Vic-Z3
Joined: Fri 11 Jun, 2010 19:28
Posts: 915

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Redditch
Contact:

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by Vic-Z3 »

Yep
----------------- BMW Z3 Das Beste Auto -----------------

Mein altes Auto riecht nach Nudeln, hat dieses Auto eine Wurst Geruch.
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by Del »

Just done mine - cured the squeak that had recently developed :D
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

Del wrote:Just done mine - cured the squeak that had recently developed :D
great, satisfying job, my squeak was horrific
BeemerBoyo
Joined: Mon 10 Feb, 2014 10:51
Posts: 110

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Teesside

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by BeemerBoyo »

This is very timely advice. My steering wheel squeak started up in Scotland last September. The car had been parked outside all week and it had been a cold night. My Z is normally pampered in a warm garage so I put it down to this. However it has got worse and more persistent and only seems to happen when turning the steering wheel from the 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock positions. Is this the same as everyone else's? This will save me taking the steering wheel apart. It does improve as the car warms up though.

Will get some GT85, I used to have some somewhere.

Will report back at weekend.

Thanks
2002 E37 BMW Z3 2.2 Sport
2008 E93 BMW 3 series 325i m sport convertible

Previous BMW cars

2007 E87 BMW 1 series 120D
2013 F21 BMW 1 series 120D
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

BeemerBoyo wrote:This is very timely advice. My steering wheel squeak started up in Scotland last September. The car had been parked outside all week and it had been a cold night. My Z is normally pampered in a warm garage so I put it down to this. However it has got worse and more persistent and only seems to happen when turning the steering wheel from the 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock positions. Is this the same as everyone else's? This will save me taking the steering wheel apart. It does improve as the car warms up though.

Will get some GT85, I used to have some somewhere.

Will report back at weekend.

Thanks
success??
BeemerBoyo
Joined: Mon 10 Feb, 2014 10:51
Posts: 110

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Teesside

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by BeemerBoyo »

I am afraid the answer is no! Gave both couplings a really good dousing in the GT85 and worked the steering back and forth for a few minutes - no change at all.

My issue must be something inside the steering wheel assembly itself.

my noise is not quite a squeak, its more like a graunch and only happens in a specific place on the steering wheel rotation. As the car heats up, in particular if the heating is on, the noise improves or goes so something must be expanding with the heat (well that's my theory so far :D )

Going to CITP today and then away overseas for a week so wont get another chance to look at this for a couple of weeks.

Once I nail the problem will let the group know.
2002 E37 BMW Z3 2.2 Sport
2008 E93 BMW 3 series 325i m sport convertible

Previous BMW cars

2007 E87 BMW 1 series 120D
2013 F21 BMW 1 series 120D
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by kjb1 »

BeemerBoyo wrote:I am afraid the answer is no! Gave both couplings a really good dousing in the GT85 and worked the steering back and forth for a few minutes - no change at all.

My issue must be something inside the steering wheel assembly itself.

my noise is not quite a squeak, its more like a graunch and only happens in a specific place on the steering wheel rotation. As the car heats up, in particular if the heating is on, the noise improves or goes so something must be expanding with the heat (well that's my theory so far :D )

Going to CITP today and then away overseas for a week so wont get another chance to look at this for a couple of weeks.

Once I nail the problem will let the group know.
it is your airbag slip ring spring misbehaving.

expensive part new £160

i have a spare here if correct part number.
BeemerBoyo
Joined: Mon 10 Feb, 2014 10:51
Posts: 110

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Teesside

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by BeemerBoyo »

Thanks for the insight into this. If you have the part number for the item you have I will check on BMW fans against my chassis number. Is your spare new/how much do you want/where are you in the UK can collect?
2002 E37 BMW Z3 2.2 Sport
2008 E93 BMW 3 series 325i m sport convertible

Previous BMW cars

2007 E87 BMW 1 series 120D
2013 F21 BMW 1 series 120D
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c_w
Joined: Thu 19 Aug, 2004 16:50
Posts: 4032

  M roadster S50

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by c_w »

With the slip ring being a coiled ribbon cable (like a computer ribbon I think), it might be possible to lightly lubricate it without affecting it's function?
siwilson
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 09:54
Posts: 790

  M roadster S54
Location: Horley

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by siwilson »

I had my slip-ring apart while hunting down a steering wheel squeak. My squeak sounded more like a spring being wound too tight and sure enough it was the lower spring and bearing described earlier. Access to this is much harder on the S54. However, I managed to get a finger of grease down there and work it into the spring. Repeating this a couple of times between turns of the steering and its all quiet now. Lucky really since I purchased the replacements parts for the lower bearing, but was dreading the job to change them. I have read that some people drill a small hole inside at the bottom of the outer tube of the steering column. Apparently you can squirt spray grease or drip some oil in through the hole.

Initially I did lubricate the slip-ring. I used an aerosol of dry film lubricant/PTFE for the inside and some ceramic cream on the outside. Now that is also quiet as a mouse.
2001 M roadster S54 Laguna Seca Blue
BeemerBoyo
Joined: Mon 10 Feb, 2014 10:51
Posts: 110

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Teesside

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by BeemerBoyo »

Hmm this all sounds like a complete pain.

Looking on BMW fans I can see the slip ring assembly for my 2.2 M54 being 32 30 2229 488. Is the spring part of this or something else? Have looked at the upper column mechanics too but unsure of which part it could be.
2002 E37 BMW Z3 2.2 Sport
2008 E93 BMW 3 series 325i m sport convertible

Previous BMW cars

2007 E87 BMW 1 series 120D
2013 F21 BMW 1 series 120D
BeemerBoyo
Joined: Mon 10 Feb, 2014 10:51
Posts: 110

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Teesside

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by BeemerBoyo »

Just to finally close this off I had my BMW Independent take a look at this while in for service and MOT. The whole slip ring had unwound itself, had fallen apart and was Cream Crackered so a new one had to be fitted.

Charged £120 for the part plus 1/2 hours labour (£25.00) so I don't think that was too bad at all, looking at the prices on-line this is a very good price so not sure if it was aftermarket or OEM fitted.

Not bothered, the problem has now gone.

AW Autoworks in Teesside Industrial estate, Thornaby did the work.

Top guys, they have maintained the car since I got it back in 2014.

Highly recommended, ex-BMW time served mechanics from Preston Hall BMW now with their own business.
2002 E37 BMW Z3 2.2 Sport
2008 E93 BMW 3 series 325i m sport convertible

Previous BMW cars

2007 E87 BMW 1 series 120D
2013 F21 BMW 1 series 120D
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billysally208
Joined: Sat 11 Jul, 2015 12:53
Posts: 38

  Z3 roadster 1.9i

Re: Squeaky steering wheel fix ( read this )

Post by billysally208 »

An easier way to oil/grease the lower steering bearing and spring is to remove the trim panel directly below the steering wheel. You will see the outer steering tube in which the steering shaft travels. Drill a small hole in the outer tube which allows you to squirt oil or grease into the shaft tube and it naturally runs down onto the bearing. Just cover the hole over with some duct tape or similar.
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