Noise behind steering wheel

[givot]

My car has developed an intermittent noise when turning the wheel, like plastic rubbing on metal. Everything feels nice and tight though.

It doesn't happen all the time and when it does it's mainly at low speeds.

Any ideas?

 

[mikev]

Is it directly behind the stering wheel or could it be elsewhere in the engine?? could be a noise from the power steering system (same sorta noise came from a jag xjs i was in a few years back)

 

[rjp325i]

I had a similar noise when I installed a new M technic steering wheel on my E30. I removed the steering wheel and put a very light lubricant on the contact surface of the washer and reinstalled the wheel. The noise is gone since I did that back in January and retorqued the steering wheel to specs. It was an annoying noise and an intermittent one as well.

 

[bignate]

rjp is probobly right, you just need to grease up the washer

 

[bmd2ba]

I have a different but related question. I have a 91 318 cabrio, and the steering shakes when going over any of the uncountable yet unavoidable potholes and manhole covers (or just bad repaving). It sounds like a 30 yr old schoolbus. The BMW Tech said it happens in older cabrios because there isn't a roof to reinforce the frame. But of all the wiggles & jiggles, the steering column is the worst. Anyone know what I can do to stabilize/tighten?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Ryan Stewart]

Dunno if cabs are the same but remove the bolster and look at where the steering collumn goes into the firewall. There should be a metal strap holding on to the collumn. Make sure that is tight.

If its coming from the dash area then consider a strut tower brace up front, helped on my dads M3 cab.

If its outside check all the ball joints.