Squeaky Steering Wheel

[Carmo13]

Hi all,

Has anyone one got any idea of how to stop a M-Tech 1 steering wheel squeaking when it is turned?

I have had the steering wheel off and the brass ring on the back had what looked like dried up copper grease on it so I cleaned it up and put some fresh grease on but it hasn't helped.

All help appreciated

[Speedtouch]

An old trick used to be to put a blob of Blu-Tak on the end of the steering column, then refit the steering wheel.

Some grease on the splines may help too...

[Speedtouch]

Well, yes, general noise from the steering column. You never know, it might also cure squeaks...

[Carmo13]

An old trick used to be to put a blob of Blu-Tak on the end of the steering column, then refit the steering wheel.

Some grease on the splines may help too...

Nice one, I shall try again and report back

[jmc330i]

The blu-tack trick is to stop engine noise travelling up the steering column and into the cabin. It will quieten down most E30 cabins but won't do anything to stop the steering wheel squeak when it's turned.

I've found a squeaky steering wheel can either be the back of the wheel rubbing on the plastic column surround (not so much a squeak but still an annoying noise) or more commonly the bearing where the column passes through the bulkhead. The bearing grease can dry out and the bearing will stick.
After reading some advice on here a few years ago, I usually WD40 the bearing then spin the steering back and forth to free up the bearing. Once the WD40 has dried, give the bearing a good spray with some spray grease and you should have no more squeaks.

[Doobit]

Did anyone solve this issue? I have the same thing and it's driving me mad!

[Brianmoooore]

All the known problems and their solutions are in jmc330i's post just above yours. First thing is to identify which of the particular problems you have.
One test is to sound the horn continuously, while turning the wheel from lock to lock. If there are any 'drop outs' of the horn as you do so, the problem is likely to be the lower column bearing, but could also be the brass slip ring/carbon brush.

[Carmo13]

Did anyone solve this issue? I have the same thing and it's driving me mad!

The noise ended up being a dry and worn bottom steering column bearing. I just lubricated it initially which did stop the noise but it was clear that the bearing was shot as it kept clunking.

Obviously your problem might not be the same as mine but dont be tricked by the noise sounding like its just behind the steering wheel. I would have sworn the noise was something just behind the steering wheel but it was definitly the bearing.

A slighly easier way of initially checking if its the bearing is to prise out the centre cap of the steering wheel and squirt a fair amount of WD40 down the centre of the hollow steering column. This isnt an ideal way of lubricating but it saves drilling holes just while youre diagnosing the problem.

[Doobit]

Thanks mate. My squeak sounds like it's just behind the steering wheel but I couldnt find anything. I'll try the WD-40 trick. Thanks for your advice.