Steering wheel squeak FIXED... Writeup w/pics

[phishman9]

First fixed worked great for me as well. I couldn't find the Tri-flow stuff, so I picked up some of the Blaster's Garage Door Lube, also a penetrating oil (just google it). It's at most auto stores and worked like a charm.

I put my car up on ramps and sprayed the crap out of the bearing. The nice part about the Blaster products is they shoot a pretty good stream, so no straws were necessary.

[Viking328]

I had the grinding noise and sent the car into a power steering shop.(I'm in South Africa) Came back no sqeak, no hooter and air bag light stays on. Power steering clown says its not his problem. Any suggestions ? Other than shooting him.

My guess is he removed the airbag and disassembled the steering wheel to replace or lube the top 2 bushings (1 metal, 1 plastic). Probably did not reassemble it right. There is a VERY good DIY here in BF.C on taking the steering wheel apart, etc. It's not difficult, but as for the light, that will need to be reset with a scan/reset tool or it MAY go away after so many starts without reading a problem.

[plugger]

Thanks Viking I'll give it a try.

I can't seem to find the DIY on removing the steering wheel. Could someone "dumb it down " for me please. I found everything from removing the rear seats to the sun roof but no steering wheel.

[Patrokloss]

I can't seem to find the DIY on removing the steering wheel. Could someone "dumb it down " for me please. I found everything from removing the rear seats to the sun roof but no steering wheel.

It's hiding See the bottom half of the very first post in this thread.

[clumpymold]

Thanks Viking I'll give it a try.

I can't seem to find the DIY on removing the steering wheel. Could someone "dumb it down " for me please. I found everything from removing the rear seats to the sun roof but no steering wheel.

There are two screws behind the steering wheel on either side. Those remove the airbag and then there's a big nut behind that. Be careful not to set the airbag light off.

[plugger]

Thanks guys it realy was quite simple. The clown has cut the ribbon cable to the hooter ring !! The airbag all seems ok though the light stays on.

[mse678]

may i ask which solution did you try? i m experiencing this same problem as you and would like to know what you did to solve this.like said you, if replacing the rack didnt solve the problem, i dont want to waste money doing that.thanks i will send you a PM too.

[mse678]

is it common to hear something like a spring tensioning and twisting likes its going to break? then an unbearable squeaking loud noise? while the entire time the wheel is stiff and difficult to move?

i m experiencing this exact same thing, where i hear a 'spring tightening or twisting' type of sound, sounds like it something going to break, when i turn the steering wheel.

anyone experienced this? i tried the lubing method, no luck.

[clumpymold]

i m experiencing this exact same thing, where i hear a 'spring tightening or twisting' type of sound, sounds like it something going to break, when i turn the steering wheel.

anyone experienced this? i tried the lubing method, no luck.

Sounds like it could be your slipring having issues. ???

[mse678]

Sounds like it could be your slipring having issues. ???

uh... whats up with the face?

[clumpymold]

uh... whats up with the face?

It's a "confused" face as I'm not 100% sure it could be the slipring.

[mse678]

well can someone confirm what's the symptoms of a bad slip ring?

[clumpymold]

well can someone confirm what's the symtpoms of a bad slip ring?

Well, maybe not bad but not lubed? I remember hearing that on my car. Just take the wheel off and investigate. It's only two screws.

[mse678]

Well, maybe not bad but not lubed? I remember hearing that on my car. Just take the wheel off and investigate. It's only two screws.

i m afraid of the airbag.... =\

[clumpymold]

i m afraid of the airbag.... =\

Don't worry, it won't bite.

Well, to be safe, unplug the battery. I've done it many times without unplugging the battery (so I can keep my computer settings) and have had no issues. You MAY get an SRS airbag light though (I had the tool so it wasn't a big deal for me to reset). Just be careful.

[mse678]

i dont want the airbag to pop on me, or any lights to come on like a disco ball

[clumpymold]

i dont want the airbag to pop on me, or any lights to come on like a disco ball

Then unplug the battery. It's not that bad.

[mse678]

Then unplug the battery. It's not that bad.

any DIY doc on removing steering wheel?

[Sicnessk4]

Wow great write up. Mines been annoying me since i bought the car.

[clumpymold]

any DIY doc on removing steering wheel?

I'm sure there is if you search. But it's actually really easy.

1.) Unplug battery
2.) Undo screws behind steering wheel (two of them)
3.) Remove airbag carefully
4.) Undo 17mm (I think) bolt holding main wheel to rack
5.) To put back, reverse removal.

[fieldhb]

I went to hardware store and they had the Tri-flow and I got a 2-foot length of tubing that fits perfectly over the straw.
Sprayed it from the top.
Took it for a short ride. Much better steering.
Thanks!!!!!

[Kingz19]

I am writing to say thanks for the info on dealing with this problem.
In my case the squeak was from the lower bearing and on my car (1995 318ti Compact) I could quite easily lubricate the bearing from above using two drinking straws as described in the thread.
Many thanks,
Bob

[mse678]

what lube spray should i use for lubing the slipring and upper steering shaft when i take out the steering wheel? should i use the triflow stuff too?

[Patrokloss]

Update!

I am pleased to report that my squeak returned this week.

I say "pleased" because my little Tri-Flow fix lasted me just over 48,000 miles over the course of the last five years (holy crap! I am old now).

Once again, a couple of liberal blasts of my favorite lube (rotating the steering wheel lock-to-lock in between) cured the squeak instantly.

This is in mild coastal California weather. Your mileage may vary.

We now return to our regularly scheduled... whatever it was we were doing

[bb0ytom]

just did this fix earlier today. from the bottom, my spray that i picked up couldnt spray far or strong enough even with the straws. therefore, i used a drinking straw w/ the flexible ends and pointed it from the top of the engine bay at the bearing. then i sprayed from the aerosol lube can w/ the attached small straw that came with it, into the drinking straw that was pointed at the bearing. soaked it for a while and then, bam. fixed my problem. my steering problem was getting a little crazy before today. it was harder than cars with no power steering. felt like i had 5 rims and tires on each front half of my car, that's how hard it was to turn. luckily my hand was small enough to put down into the engine bay from the top of the engine so i directed the drinking straw to point at the bearing while i sprayed it with the can on top. after this, steering was back to how it was supposed to be, smooth and easy. good thing i found this thread, i thought my car was starting to fall apart since it has about 165k. thought it was going to be an expensive fix before i saw this thread, turns out i only used about 1/4 a can of chain lube that i bought from kragen auto parts for 2.99.for those with big hands, you can just buy small fish tank hose (the one's they use for air pumps) and direct it down towards the bearing in that direction, preferably direct it right above the bearing and spray down that tube and it will drip all over the bearing and you should be good as well.

BTW, mines was also making crazy grinding, rubbing plastic rubbing sound. i kept picturing myself driving and then all a sudden the steering column breaking from rust/corrosion or whatever, that's how crazy it sounded when i made turns.