Squeaky steering wheel in my e36.

[Flaxmoore]

I've a '93 318is with 184K miles on it, and the steering wheel is starting to bug me. It has developed a slight squeak in the steering wheel.

It's a very thin, soft squeak, almost like bedsprings, and doesn't do it consistently. I can turn normally, with no added effort, just a small squeak.

Any ideas, folks? I can't hear it outside the car, so I'm inclined to think it's the wheel- steering column nut.

By the way, I'm new here. Hi!

[Jeron]

It's the Air Bag contact ring. Common, sort of a PITA from what I've heard. I never have bothered fixing mine, its sooo far down the list of things I need to do.

[Flaxmoore]

Originally Posted by Jeron

It's the Air Bag contact ring. Common, sort of a PITA from what I've heard. I never have bothered fixing mine, its sooo far down the list of things I need to do.

Would lubrication help, say a few good drips of mineral oil?

[Jeron]

Lubricating it sounds familiar but I think it was hard to get to and the lube only lasted a very short time. Sorry, I don't recall exactly. There are DIY on the replacement on the web. There was one published in Roundel years ago.

[SCOTITUDE]

The slip ring in the steering wheel might be takin a dump or need to be greased.

Air Bag light is on & No horn

Not a hard fix to lube or replace. If you hear "springs" I would tend to think the inner parts of the ring are deteriorating.

[supertack]

I've had the problem for a long time too. The funny part is, it seems to go away in the warmer months, & rear it's ugly head when it's really cold out.

Disconnecting the air bag, & taking off the steering wheel is somethin' I never put high on the priority list as well.