Squeaky steering wheel

Supermoon · 06-18-2019, 11:09 AM

My steering wheel started making squeaky noise earlier this year so I lubed my steering rack boot following the video below:

This only worked for a few days and noise kept coming back so I kept lubing every other weekend (must've done this more than 5 times).
I eventually got tired of it so I used a lot of powerflex silicone grease (5 packs worth) and the noise almost stopped coming back except when I turn the steering wheel fully to the left or right.

This noise has a bit different tone and it seems to be coming from the inside of the steering wheel not from the boot.
I searched on youtube and found another person having the same issue:

I have this exact noise only when I'm turning the steering wheel more than 90 degrees.
Searched on the forums here and read some people saying the slip ring (or clock spring) needs to be lubed.

I looked into it and I'm not sure if it has any rubbery parts that need to be lubed up. Or should I replaced the whole part?
If you know how to fix the noise in the second video, please help me. Thanks.

Supermoon · 06-18-2019, 08:46 PM

https://m.autoserviceprofessional.co...-the-wrong-way

https://cdn.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...8;d=1429368414

ny325 · 06-19-2019, 01:36 PM

Had a similar issue. Had the steering wheel boot lubed, and it stopped squeaking. Good luck OP.

marphyin · 07-06-2019, 03:41 PM

Hi OP, Did you fix the issue? Mine is come and goes. I only hear the squeaking when steering is so hard to turn.

Supermoon · 07-07-2019, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marphyin

Hi OP, Did you fix the issue? Mine is come and goes. I only hear the squeaking when steering is so hard to turn.

Squeaking always comes back in a week but it gets quieter once the car is warmed up.
There's no way I'm paying $2000 to replace the steering column so I guess I'll keep lubing lol

JG BMW · 04-18-2022, 09:18 PM

Use high-viscosity Dielectric Grease only. Example Permatex 81150 (and no, I don't work for Permatex). I have verified this with BMW and Valeo (who is the supplier of clock spring to BMW). I fixed my 2011 BMW 528i clock spring and used this grease without issues. Good Luck !!!

Mike K · 04-19-2022, 06:59 AM

Any DIY on this procedure?

marvinstockman · 04-19-2022, 12:57 PM

Listen to NY325 and lube the plastic cowling on the steering column.

TheHunterHofman · 11-01-2023, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG BMW

Use high-viscosity Dielectric Grease only. Example Permatex 81150 (and no, I don't work for Permatex). I have verified this with BMW and Valeo (who is the supplier of clock spring to BMW). I fixed my 2011 BMW 528i clock spring and used this grease without issues. Good Luck !!!

Is that grease also to be used for the ribbon cable (or are we already talking about the ribbon cable)? Thanks!

06-18-2019, 11:09 AM	#1
Supermoon Lieutenant 166 Rep 429 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335xi Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Seoul iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i xDriv ... [10.00]	Squeaky steering wheel - lube clock spring? My steering wheel started making squeaky noise earlier this year so I lubed my steering rack boot following the video below: This only worked for a few days and noise kept coming back so I kept lubing every other weekend (must've done this more than 5 times). I eventually got tired of it so I used a lot of powerflex silicone grease (5 packs worth) and the noise almost stopped coming back except when I turn the steering wheel fully to the left or right. This noise has a bit different tone and it seems to be coming from the inside of the steering wheel not from the boot. I searched on youtube and found another person having the same issue: I have this exact noise only when I'm turning the steering wheel more than 90 degrees. Searched on the forums here and read some people saying the slip ring (or clock spring) needs to be lubed. I looked into it and I'm not sure if it has any rubbery parts that need to be lubed up. Or should I replaced the whole part? If you know how to fix the noise in the second video, please help me. Thanks. __________________ 2011 E92 335i xDrive Pure Stage 1 \| DV+ & Inlet \| Injen Intake \| M3 Cowl \| ETS 5" FMIC & CP \| Aquamist HFS4 Direct Port \| CSF Radiator \| Wagner Catted DP \| BMW PE \| Apex FL-5 \| Michelin PS4S \| 335is Engine mount \| SDW Monoball thrust arms \| UUC Swaybars & SS Brake lines \| Bilstein B8 \| Dinan Springs & Shock mounts \| Whiteline RSFB \| M3 Rear Control arms \| Manzo Toe arms \| Wavetrac LSD
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06-18-2019, 08:46 PM	#2
Supermoon Lieutenant 166 Rep 429 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335xi Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Seoul iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i xDriv ... [10.00]	https://m.autoserviceprofessional.co...-the-wrong-way https://cdn.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...8;d=1429368414 __________________ 2011 E92 335i xDrive Pure Stage 1 \| DV+ & Inlet \| Injen Intake \| M3 Cowl \| ETS 5" FMIC & CP \| Aquamist HFS4 Direct Port \| CSF Radiator \| Wagner Catted DP \| BMW PE \| Apex FL-5 \| Michelin PS4S \| 335is Engine mount \| SDW Monoball thrust arms \| UUC Swaybars & SS Brake lines \| Bilstein B8 \| Dinan Springs & Shock mounts \| Whiteline RSFB \| M3 Rear Control arms \| Manzo Toe arms \| Wavetrac LSD
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06-19-2019, 01:36 PM	#3
ny325 Brigadier General 895 Rep 3,141 Posts Drives: Jet Black E90 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gridlock iTrader: (0)	Had a similar issue. Had the steering wheel boot lubed, and it stopped squeaking. Good luck OP.
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07-06-2019, 03:41 PM	#4
marphyin Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Hi OP, Did you fix the issue? Mine is come and goes. I only hear the squeaking when steering is so hard to turn.
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04-18-2022, 09:18 PM	#6
JG BMW Registered 2 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Frisco iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335i [0.00] 2013 BMW 740Li [0.00]	BMW Clock Spring Lubricant Use high-viscosity Dielectric Grease only. Example Permatex 81150 (and no, I don't work for Permatex). I have verified this with BMW and Valeo (who is the supplier of clock spring to BMW). I fixed my 2011 BMW 528i clock spring and used this grease without issues. Good Luck !!!
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04-19-2022, 06:59 AM	#7
Mike K First Lieutenant 321 Rep 392 Posts Drives: 2011 e91 328i RWD Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Chicago Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i e91 [0.00]	Any DIY on this procedure?
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04-19-2022, 12:57 PM	#8
marvinstockman Major 399 Rep 1,077 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0)	Listen to NY325 and lube the plastic cowling on the steering column.
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