[Hvyarms]

Past couple of days, I've noticed that when I'm driving at low speeds, usually in a parking lot, there's a sound coming from the steering column.

It's hard to really describe it, but it sounds like a moan. I let a tech hear this, and he says it sounds like a pump associated with the steering fluid. That in my car ('10 E90) it's not electronic, and that's what I'm hearing.

1: is anyone here familiar with this (sound)?
2: any idea how involved a repair is?

[NolanGraphics]

I had the same sound in October before I put my car in storage. I will have to wait until spring to see what it is.

[MuffinMan910]

Steering column boot? That's what it was for me when mine was making a sound like that

[Miller335]

Check the amount and quality of your PS fluid first.

[Hvyarms]

Originally Posted by MuffinMan910

Steering column boot? That's what it was for me when mine was making a sound like that

Perhaps.

[Hvyarms]

Originally Posted by Miller335

Check the amount and quality of your PS fluid first.

Yeah I'll check that tonight

[udm328i]

['02onthebrain]

Flush and fill your PS fluid, you probably have a slow leak under the reservoir. I did it twice with a turkey baster over the course of two weeks. Suck out the fluid and fill it up with new fluid, two total times. It's not a proper complete drain but it will get the job done and most likely solve your moan. Make sure you use the right fluid. Mine was moaning and was low on fluid. Fluid was also brown and in need of a change.

[XM_Rocks]

If it's the PS Pump moaning then you need to check and if not low then flush your fluid.

The good thing is it's easy to do in our cars with a turkey blaster/siphon and a bottle or two of fluid.

Just do it 2-3 times over a few months and you will mostly have new fluid in there by the time you are done.

[ny325]

Stealership wanted to charge me $850.00 to change boot because of squeak. Had it lubricated by my Indy for no charge.

[Hvyarms]

Originally Posted by ny325

Stealership wanted to charge me $850.00 to change boot because of squeak. Had it lubricated by my Indy for no charge.

Sheeeeeeeeeit

[TBN54]

I'm moaning calmly at work while reading this thread post.

[fazman]

Originally Posted by ny325

Stealership wanted to charge me $850.00 to change boot because of squeak. Had it lubricated by my Indy for no charge.

What is the steering column boot that needed lubrication? I'm getting an issue where it sounds like a wire brush is rubbing something, anytime I do a 1/4 turn while the car is stationary or at low speed (Either direction).

[PhaseP]

Originally Posted by fazman

What is the steering column boot that needed lubrication? I'm getting an issue where it sounds like a wire brush is rubbing something, anytime I do a 1/4 turn while the car is stationary or at low speed (Either direction).

The boot is at the firewall where the steering column goes through. It causes squeaks especially during cold days as the column rotates inside it. Applying some rubber safe grease fixes the problem where the column goes through. I used Honda Shin-Etsu grease I had lying around already, which fixed the squeaks for good. Expensive but very high quality grease for such purposes:
http://www.amazon.com/Honda-Genuine-.../dp/B006Z9TZ9M

There are youtube videos on BMW steering boot squeak fixing, one can reach it from inside the car and lubricate it.

A wire brush sound may not be boot.