Question on steering noise in '01 330 cic

[bmw330cic]

My 2001 330 cic w/43K miles makes a squealing/rubbing noise (think of the same squeal/rubbing noise that cleaning a window/windshield sometimes makes). It only happens at very slow speed (ie- in a parking lot) everytime I turn the wheel left or right (but seems to be happen more often turning right than left). The dealer has "lubed" the steering column right behind the steering wheel twice now, but both times it hasn't done anything to fix the problem. In fact, this time it seems to have made the problem worse, and it makes the car smell like wd-30 for a week when I get it back.

I've read other forum posts about control arm bushings failing around 50K and making a similar sound. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, Keith

 

[BMW NA Customer Relations]

I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. I’m sorry to read of your concern about your 330Cic. If you and your BMW center would like our assistance, please phone us at (800) 831-1117 or email us at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com, and mention Reference #200507000473 so that we can help you more efficiently.

 

[Section_8]

I'd check your ATF fluid (power steering fluid) - I had that 'grind' sound recently, started thinking the worst about bad ball joints, and replacing control arms.. Found my power steering pump to be almost empty - filled 'er up, noise is gone. Now I'm just keeping an eye on the fluid level to see if I have a power steering hose that might be bad/loose/leaky.

I'm at 61k miles btw. Car seems 100% fine after upping the fluids (Shame on me for not keeping a closer eye on it in the first place!).

 

[aNoodle]

Wow, Sec8, I've never lost that much ATF....and I know I have a little leak from the smaller of the two hoses coming out of the bottom of the resevoir. I need to get that fixed, I've just had enough DIYs lately to tackle that one yet. (BTW, nice Matrix effect on the new signature pic!)

If it's more of a squealing/rubbing noise then I would vote control arm bushing....they go out every 40-60,000 miles. I'm on my second set (possibly third on one side), I can't remember now I'm on 130,000 miles. I have an extra one in the garage, so at some point I cheaped out and asked an independent to just replace one side, but I still had to buy them as a pair.

It's a part that is made to wear...everyone will need them replaced at some point (my first set was replaced before I went out of warranty and is something I tell everyone to add to their list for the dealer to do before they are on their own).

 

[geneo]

it could be anything from the, slip ring, a bearing, or even the rack, is the noise in the car or outside the car?