anybody's steering wheel really squeak when it's cold

[scott540]

Mine has always done this but I finally thought to ask maybe why. When it gets cold out- below freezing, when I turn my steering wheel it sqeaks. Happens both ways - left or right coming from right behind the steernig wheel. Something must contract back there. kind of sound like a rubbing sound. Goes away after the car really warms up. Anybody else's do this?

[e34musician]

I recently noticed that too. I did not have it last winter. Good to know it's because of the weather, not something else.

Any tip to fix.

[Jehu]

yes very annoying but i just turn up the music and that takes care of it.... I said THAT TAKES CARE OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[e34.535i.sport]

yes very annoying but i just turn up the music and that takes care of it.... I said THAT TAKES CARE OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LoL! :D

[t_marat]

I have the same. steering wheel squeaks when it's cold.

[winfred]

most likely the idler arm bushing

[t_marat]

the sound comes from inside of the car, not outside. the source is very close to the steering wheel itself.

[whiskychaser]

the sound comes from inside of the car, not outside. the source is very close to the steering wheel itself.
Mine does it now and then when its cold and its def just behind the steering wheel. Think its the bearing at the top of the steering column. Its only made of plastic but will probably outlast the car. Its item 11 here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD68&mospid=47405&btnr=32_0431&hg=32&fg=30

[Torque]

My 525 was notorious for this ... it was always the plastic right behind the steering wheel ... every time it got cold it would change its damn size I guess and the steering wheel would catch it.

[nirvana19]

yep, my steering wheel squeaks too (although just RIGHT after I start my car from cold, always gone with a minute)

[Macv]

One more for "yep"

[CharlesAFerg]

So I'm assuming it's only on cars with airbags? I've never had that... but I don't have an AB.

[winfred]

inside is usually the clock spring for the airbag, ****ers get noisy when they get old and cold

[artguy]

mine too.

PO said he always sprayed a little WD-40 in there and it helped.

[DaveVoorhis]

I have no airbag, and mine squeaks when it's cold.

[CharlesAFerg]

I have no airbag, and mine squeaks when it's cold.

Hmm... Sooo can anyone explain this?

[CharlesAFerg]

seriously, what the hell - somebody fix this board, it's pissing me off all my posts are going before everyone elses because I'm on the west coast. it's clearly the time zones messing up.

[Jehu]

mine too.

PO said he always sprayed a little WD-40 in there and it helped.

You wnat to be breathing WD-40 till it eventually dissapears? Where would you grease and with which kind if you removed the steering wheel?

[winfred]

if it's the clock spring theres not really a good place to grease as it's internal to the spring assy, i guess you could hit it with a good spray lube but i don't really **** with them as it's a liability in my business, i make em buy a new one if they want it to shut up and it's not a problem on my own car as i eliminate all traces of the airbag and install a wheel that doesn't remind me of driving a bumper car


You wnat to be breathing WD-40 till it eventually dissapears? Where would you grease and with which kind if you removed the steering wheel?

[Ferret]

Mine has suddenly started squeaking badly, to the point where you can hear it loudly on the outside of the car.

Got under there at the end of last week and discovered a shot balljoint on the centre tie-rod. Packed it full of grease as I needed to drive 250 miles - and typically nowhere had a replacement centre link in stock! :annoyed:

I've a spare set of brand new outer lemfoerder tie-rods that were supposed to go on to the TDS before it got sold - so I'm going to get a new centre link, idler arm and write up swapping the whole lot over. With pretty pictures as well I think!

[bmwrp8]

mine does that too.cold or warm.veeeeerrrrrryyyyyyyy annooooying

[whiskychaser]

So I'm assuming it's only on cars with airbags? I've never had that... but I don't have an AB.
Dont have an airbag but I have the squeak. In any other car it would be called the steering column top bush. There is no play or mine so it is staying where it is. :)

[Jeff N.]

It's the horn ring contact. The grease has run dry.

Pull the airbag (careful you fools :D ) and the wheel. Spread out the contact grease on the hub where the horn ring rides. Maybe add some dielectric grease if it's all gone.

[skr]

mine starts squeeking at about 5C and at -5C it sounds like a door from horror movies. goes avay in a couple minutes

[Alpinewhite]

Did any one fix this problem. Mine squeaks too.

Thanks
Arun