Steering wheel squeak FIXED... Writeup w/pics

[///MWorkin]

You guys, I have no idea where to spray. Would anyone be so kind as to post a picture. I dont know if im supposed to go in from under the hood, or if I have to from under the car. I have no clue what to look for, im an idiot under the hood.

[TLK]

I was wondering what's been the long term consensus on lube choice: tri-flow vs. spray white lithium grease?

From using WD-40, tri-flow, white lithium grease and others on bicycles over the years, I've always thought that Tri-flow works pretty well all over the bike but attracts dirt on the chain and gears and doesn't last too long if it gets wet. Which is why I don't use it on those places.

I bring this up because that lower bearing is exposed and I'm wondering how long the tri-flow lasts on it vs. the white lithium spray. A spray white lithium probably isn't as good as the white lithium grease in a tube but it's easier to do and is going to penetrate.

[silver36]

works great squeak is gone thanks Patrokloss. For those who want a picture, there really is no need. It is exactly as Patrokloss describes. It works better to jack up the car because you can spray it into the bearing. If you do it from the engine bay you'll mostly just get the ring.
I used chain lube for my motorcycle, seems to work great.

[parkpy]

I used chain lube too. Worked great.

prior to doing this, my steering squeeked, and sometimes would require more effort to turn in. When it got stiff enough, the steering wouldn't return to center, and would actually make loud crunch sounds.

Very easy, just need to jack the car up.

Edit: Thanks for the write up. I love the car again...even though when I was doing this repair, I noticed an oil leak between the transmission and the engine. Rear main seal for the loss

[dantheman]

I did this fix last night as well using a can of CRC's White Lithium Grease. As I'm in New Zealand I've never heard of Tri-Flow but the store has WD-40 ;-).

I liberally soaked the parts closest to the firewall with the grease, and boy the smell!

There are some pictures here, and I'll load my own later on:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...teering+squeak

Hopefully I targeted the correct parts but from a quick blast around the block the squeaking gone and the steering is lighter and easier to use. However there is a faint rubbing sound that I can now hear which was probably masked by the loud squeaking previously.

[VCP M3]

Project for tomorrow!
Doesn't really bother me but the wifey complains.

[M13]

subscribing

[m3fosho]

I just did this on my 1997 M3 the other day. The car had 117k miles and had a bad squeak every time I was turning the wheel during slow speeds. I found a small can of Tri-flo at a local motorcycle shop for $7. I then jacked up the car and put it on jackstands. After searching a little bit, I found the supposed bearing I was supposed to lube. The tri-flo can I bought was small and I was able to squeeze it in through the x-brace and oil pan. This allowed me to just use the straw the can came with. Although this method is a bit harder and you might miss a few times until you actually hit the bearing, I didn't have to use duct tape or straws. After spraying the bearing liberally and turning the steering wheel left and right, I took it for a spin. All prior squeaks and noises are gone and steering feels a lot smoother. Definitely do not hesistate to do this if your steering wheel has any kind of squeak.

[M13]

I just did this on my 1997 M3 the other day. The car had 117k miles and had a bad squeak every time I was turning the wheel during slow speeds. I found a small can of Tri-flo at a local motorcycle shop for $7. I then jacked up the car and put it on jackstands. After searching a little bit, I found the supposed bearing I was supposed to lube. The tri-flo can I bought was small and I was able to squeeze it in through the x-brace and oil pan. This allowed me to just use the straw the can came with. Although this method is a bit harder and you might miss a few times until you actually hit the bearing, I didn't have to use duct tape or straws. After spraying the bearing liberally and turning the steering wheel left and right, I took it for a spin. All prior squeaks and noises are gone and steering feels a lot smoother. Definitely do not hesistate to do this if your steering wheel has any kind of squeak.

Thanks for the addition.

[M3Cosmos]

Here's a possible better solution to the tape+multiple straw method.
First off, I used lithium grease. I also picked up an 1/8" plastic hose (like vacuum hose) and taped most of it to a metal dowel (see pic). From here, a flashlight under the car and you can see the u-joint and the spring and bearing well enough to blast it with lube by just sticking the dowel with the hose straight up in there.
This was done on my brother's 97 328i and worked like charm. His squeak was horrible.

[Ffroggs]

Here's a possible better solution to the tape+multiple straw method.
First off, I used lithium grease. I also picked up an 1/8" plastic hose (like vacuum hose) and taped most of it to a metal dowel (see pic). From here, a flashlight under the car and you can see the u-joint and the spring and bearing well enough to blast it with lube by just sticking the dowel with the hose straight up in there.
This was done on my brother's 97 328i and worked like charm. His squeak was horrible.

Help me understand this a bit more if you would...you used the metal dowel as a support for the plastic hose so you could aim it better, and sprayed the lithium grease through the plastic hose? Is that correct?

[BMWManiac]

You guys, I have no idea where to spray. Would anyone be so kind as to post a picture. I dont know if im supposed to go in from under the hood, or if I have to from under the car. I have no clue what to look for, im an idiot under the hood.

Look at where the steering column comes directly out of the firewall...wear glasses and spray the hell out that area. Did this a couple years ago and just now my squeak has returned.

[VCP M3]

Just used tri-flow on the steering colum. i didn't have to jack up the car. I had to feel where the spot was and then lube it blind, but it worked and my squeak is gone!

[M3Cosmos]

Help me understand this a bit more if you would...you used the metal dowel as a support for the plastic hose so you could aim it better, and sprayed the lithium grease through the plastic hose? Is that correct?

Correcto.

After looking at it, I figured I couldn't squeeze my hand up there easily, so my father and I devised this contraption, so one person could get under that car and do it with ease.

[bigwillywallace]

Sweet write-up man This thing has been buggin me for years

[BMWManiac]

vote for sticky!

[ih8rainnc]

+1 for the sticky.

White lithium sprayed where the column exits the firewall worked for me last week. Take precautions to keep it out of your eyes.... it hurts like hell !

[BMWManiac]

Had to do it again today...worked great and steering feels better! STICKY!!!

[ArtS]

Tried it - it worked pretty well! This steering wheel squeek has been bothering me for years. After reading this thread, I went to my local bike shop and bought the best penetrating lubricant they had ($12). I didn't feel like spending too much time or bother getting the jack out, so I got a 3 foot length of heat-shrink tube that was just large enough that it slipped over the spray bottle pipe tip perfectly. I then sprayed the steering shaft u-joint and blindly sprayed behind the brake booster. First application - 50% reduction (drove it between applications). Second application - 90% reduction. Third application - 98% reduction. I can still get a slight squeek if I really try but otherwise, it's as good as new. I'm glad I held off on replacing the slip ring... THANKS!!

I vote for sticky as well. Or, better yet, there should be a vetted DIY section for the good DIY threads.

Regards,

Art S.

[Bono]

Are you guys keeping the different squeeks separate?

1) When turning the wheel

2) When the steering column goes up and down

Or are they one in the same? The steering column up and down squeek is also a regular question. I attempted to answer it once, but not nearly as nicely as this guy did!

[ArtS]

Bono,

This is the 'turn the wheel' squeek.

Art S.

[northeast m3]

hey! my ? is if you rig up a flexible tube why cant you do this from under the hood. i can see the lower part from top & see were it goes into the fire wall too. im just wondering why you guys are saying do it from under the car.

thanks!

[ArtS]

I did it from under the hood. I sprayed the U-joint easily but I had to spray the bushing blind because it is behind the brake booster. I'm sure I didn't do as good of a job as I would have if I could see what I was doing but the results were quite good.

Regards,

Art S.

[bigbilly]

+1 for "under the hood" method. I tried using ramps and sliding under with my crawler, but there was no way I was going to get back far enough. I was too lazy to break out my jack and use stands on the back, so I took a look down from the hood.

For those trying to find it from up top (descriptions for an M52 - your car may be different):

Look at your throttle body leading into the intake maniflold.

Visualize a line between the throttle and your steering wheel.

Follow the line until you see the universal joint at the end of the second diagram in the post (the "thing"). The joint is on the bottom left of the diagram. It's in a fairly open space about 12-18" down in the compartment.

Once you see it, give the u-joint a blast and follow the "thing" up to the firewall. I had to shoot blind, but a few good blasts and I was pretty sure I got it.

I used the straw method - you don't need tape, just jam them together - and white lithium spray grease.

Worked like a champ.

[kevinwilly]

THANK YOU for posting this... i am new to BMW's... i just picked up my M3 sedan two weeks ago tomorrow. It had a squeak when i got it... i thought it was the slip ring. NEVER would have guessed to check the lower stem bearing.

So i was cleaning out my Idle Control Valve... as my idle was rough/car dying when cold. No biggie. Then i remember reading this (THANKS, photographic memory!) and was like: "huh... there's the steering linkage... maybe i'll spray that sumbitch!" So i just squirted some lube on the top and let it run down. Finsihed cleaning the ICV out and viola! No more rough idle AND no more squeak!!

And yeah- by removing the airbox and hose to the throttle body, you can get RIGHT in there. I had it off already, but it literally takes five minutes to get off. I recommend this approach.


And on another note- i worked in a hardware store in high school. And have a phenominal memory. So i have known about tri-flow for a LONG time. I LOVE IT.

It's got teflon in it. PTFE. Polytetrafluoroethylene. Great stuff!!

You know what else has the SAME thing in it? The liquid wrench dry lubricant. It's the one with the goldish-colored nut on the top of the can. MANY places carry that, and it's basically the same thing. I think an 11oz can cost me all of four bucks. HUGE compared to tri-flow. Same function.

Just a heads up.

Cheers!