Steering Whining noise

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Rkive
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:15 am

My steering wheel makes a loud strange whining noise when I turn it,

Is it just oil leakage or is it something bigger?

What will I need to replace and is it easy to find?

Ta
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hoshy
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:26 am

Power steering pump I'd guess. Have you checked the fluid recently?

Also worth checking the belt tension.

If the pump is buggered a new (second hand) one it quite easy/cheap to fit.
E46 M3 CSL but dreaming of another E30.
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frogman
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:12 pm

Check the power steering fluid level. If that is ok, then try adjusting the relief valve. If the noise still exists, then suspect pump.
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carson218
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:23 pm

My steering is make the occasional rumble type noise, could this be similar problems....same with my Audi :roll:
Ziggy
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:34 pm

Fluid level would be my guess - & hardly a difficult thing to check.
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Jon_Bmw
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:47 pm

I reckon Belt tension. Tighten it up and it will hopefully disapear. Not too tight though.
Ziggy
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:49 pm

Belt tension's usually squealy rather than whiney though...

My brother's currently replacing the leaky rack (with my spare one!) on his sheddy touring - made some right funny noises when the fluid got low! :)
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Jon_Bmw
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:28 pm

True, although trying to describe and imagine noises through t'internet is somewhat difficult.

Got those HID's fitted yet young ziggy.
aj_mckay
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:03 pm

is the noise coming from the steetring wheel or under the bonnet? the steering wheel on my e30 makes a groaning/grinding noise occasionally when turning from lock-to-lock when parking for example but no idea what it is. Sounds almost as if something somwhere needs lubricating but i have no idea what!!
Ziggy
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:27 pm

Jon_Bmw wrote: Got those HID's fitted yet young ziggy.
Yep! Blimmin brilliant aren't they! 8)
4300s are a perfect white colour btw...
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zimmerbimmer1
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:41 pm

aj_mckay wrote:is the noise coming from the steetring wheel or under the bonnet? the steering wheel on my e30 makes a groaning/grinding noise occasionally when turning from lock-to-lock when parking for example but no idea what it is. Sounds almost as if something somwhere needs lubricating but i have no idea what!!
It'll probably be the plastic bearings within the steering column needing replacing

see clicky
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hoshy
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:43 pm

Ahh yes - I had that in my iS...

A pikey as it sounds wd40 did the trick, I thought that it would come back quite soon cos the wd is so thin but it's been over 6 months now.
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aj_mckay
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:58 pm

zimmerbimmer1 wrote:
aj_mckay wrote:is the noise coming from the steetring wheel or under the bonnet? the steering wheel on my e30 makes a groaning/grinding noise occasionally when turning from lock-to-lock when parking for example but no idea what it is. Sounds almost as if something somwhere needs lubricating but i have no idea what!!
It'll probably be the plastic bearings within the steering column needing replacing

see clicky
Any idea which part(s) in that diagram? realoem.com terms seem very americanised! :?
aj_mckay
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:00 pm

hoshy wrote:Ahh yes - I had that in my iS...

A pikey as it sounds wd40 did the trick, I thought that it would come back quite soon cos the wd is so thin but it's been over 6 months now.
Where did you squirt the WD40? Might give it a try before I think about replacing parts winkeye

Rkive - sorry fr the hi-jack but hopefully this may be helpful to you too??!! :D
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zimmerbimmer1
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:09 pm

aj_mckay wrote:
zimmerbimmer1 wrote:
aj_mckay wrote:is the noise coming from the steetring wheel or under the bonnet? the steering wheel on my e30 makes a groaning/grinding noise occasionally when turning from lock-to-lock when parking for example but no idea what it is. Sounds almost as if something somwhere needs lubricating but i have no idea what!!
It'll probably be the plastic bearings within the steering column needing replacing

see clicky
Any idea which part(s) in that diagram? realoem.com terms seem very americanised! :?
Replace all bar number 1, 16 and 17.

Shouldn't cost more that £20 in parts
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hoshy
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:15 pm

I just popped off the bmw centre badge and sprayed some down... Ponged of wd for a few days but no squeeks :)
E46 M3 CSL but dreaming of another E30.
Rkive
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Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:21 pm

Right I am honestly a total noob when it comes to doing mechanical stuff, so could someone be kind enought to explain to me how to check the fluid level? Belt tension? and plastic bearings?

Hoshy, you mean the steering wheel centre badge? spray some wd40 there?


Any help would be appreciated because my car looks great but sounds pants!
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oze30
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:22 am

frogman wrote:Check the power steering fluid level. If that is ok, then try adjusting the relief valve. If the noise still exists, then suspect pump.
Where's the relief valve?

Also, what causes tight spots in a rack?
Rkive
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:34 pm

bump
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Rkive
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Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:10 pm

The noise kind of comes from the front of the car near the bonnet, i can feel the vibrations on my foot pedals.
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RED325i
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Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:09 am

Wheel bearing?
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