E30 Zone

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

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.

Check the power steering fluid level. If that is ok, then try adjusting the relief valve. If the noise still exists, then suspect pump.

My steering is make the occasional rumble type noise, could this be similar problems....same with my Audi

Fluid level would be my guess - & hardly a difficult thing to check.

I reckon Belt tension. Tighten it up and it will hopefully disapear. Not too tight though.

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!

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

Got those HID's fitted yet young ziggy.

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!!

Jon_Bmw wrote: Got those HID's fitted yet young ziggy.

Yep! Blimmin brilliant aren't they!
4300s are a perfect white colour btw...

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

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.

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!

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

Rkive - sorry fr the hi-jack but hopefully this may be helpful to you too??!!

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

I just popped off the bmw centre badge and sprayed some down... Ponged of wd for a few days but no squeeks

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!

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?

bump

The noise kind of comes from the front of the car near the bonnet, i can feel the vibrations on my foot pedals.

Wheel bearing?