steering wheel turn makes rub noise/feel

I can feel it in the steering wheel (very slight vibe) and hear a rubbing sound when I make slow speed turns, while the wheel turns. For example turning into my driveway. It's not a squeak. I don't have active steering. Is this a belt issue? Something need grease? I guess I gotta check my PS fluid too.. but I can't find a reference in the manual.

'08 3.0si with 28k miles

I believe I have the same exact issue . . . but I felt it came from inside the passenger cabin - meaning the rubbing sound was some plastic piece rubbing against another surface. The only thing I can say for sure is it happens at parking speeds, steering wheel is turned nearly all the way to one side (yes it has happened on both left and right turns). I was planning to get this addressed at my next routine maintenance visit.

The BMW logo on the steering wheel had some marks on it . . . didn't see it when I took delivery, got the dealer to change it after about a year (warranty covered it). As I understood it, Dealer changed the entire air bag assembly . . . not sure if this has anything to do with this "rubbing sound".

Anyone else with this issue? Did you get this fixed?

I did have low PS fluid (checked when car was cold) so I filled it but the sound does still occur but less frequently. I was wondering if this could potentially cause some kind of worse failure down the road if left unchecked. Not as easy for me to bring it in since I have to go to an indy (no shuttle/loaner) so minor annoyances can wait. If it is just a minor annoyance that won't cause bigger issues...

I have a similar rubbing sound, but not when I'm turning. When I first power on the car and the steering wheel tilt adjusts to my preset, there is a squeaking/ rubbing noise. It's much louder and more pronounced in hot weather. Has anybody else experienced this?

Sent from my DROIDX using Bimmer App

Yes mine is also intermittent - seems to occur when the weather is dry and hot.

Hate intermittent problems, hard to tell if the dealer actually fixed it. Hopefully by the next service visit this issue will become more consistent and easily repeated.

Just had a similar issue fixed on my wife's 2010 X5 Xdrive30i...with 24,000 miles on it. Here is what the repair sheet said.

"Customer states steering wheel is noisy when you turn the wheel." Test drove and duplicated noise at lower steering column. Survey faults with ISTA and work test plan for steering noise. Per test, removed lower dash panel and inspect. Located noise at steering shaft collar bushing. Per test, lubricated bushing and retest. Correct noise complaint.

We have had the vehicle back for a few days now and so far so good. Hope that helps.

I have it now. Start it up and just a little tension left or right I can hear and feel a rubbing and it goes away after I pull off. What? I really do enjoy my X5 so far.

Ive had this for a while now -intermittent squeak/ noise in steering wheel. slow speed turns, dealer cannot duplicate.

Other items the dealer cannot duplicate:
Intermittent R Rear passenger door unlock delay
Brake squeal

Did you check PS fluid?

Originally Posted by georgejm

Did you check PS fluid?

Yes, noise is coming from the steering wheel column area. In the past they replaced my steering wheel because leather stitching was unraveling.

Originally Posted by chip4

Ive had this for a while now -intermittent squeak/ noise in steering wheel. slow speed turns, dealer cannot duplicate.

Other items the dealer cannot duplicate:
Intermittent R Rear passenger door unlock delay
Brake squeal

+1

Exactly my issue . . . I just can't duplicate it at the Dealer! Waiting for it to get worse and then address it.

Regarding door unlock - the car goes into a sleep mode 30 minutes (I think) after engine shut off/door lock. Prior to unlock it has to wake up - usually this happens when it detects movement (at least that is what is happening inside my garage where I can observe/hear better). If the car is awake, doors unlock readily - I found this behavior most obvious when unlocking the tailgate - sometimes I have to click the tailgate unlock button (above license plate) a couple of times for it to open.

One simple check - next time when the delay happens write down if the car was left locked for at least 30-45 minutes. If this is consistent, the delay is just the car waking up.

Not sure why only the rear doors are exhibiting this behavior - unless this just happens to be a coincidence.

Brake squeal - try giving it a thorough wash using some good wheel cleaner . . . I was able to get rid of mine by washing it thoroughly. These cars have an electric brake pad wear sensor . . . not the old style mechanical one that squeals to let you know the pads are worn out.

Originally Posted by eschnabs

Just had a similar issue fixed on my wife's 2010 X5 Xdrive30i...with 24,000 miles on it. Here is what the repair sheet said.

"Customer states steering wheel is noisy when you turn the wheel." Test drove and duplicated noise at lower steering column. Survey faults with ISTA and work test plan for steering noise. Per test, removed lower dash panel and inspect. Located noise at steering shaft collar bushing. Per test, lubricated bushing and retest. Correct noise complaint.

This is exactly what I think is happening in my case . . . my problem - it is not happening consistently . . .

Yep my E92 has a rubbing noise from whats sounds like behind the steering wheel not there all the time buy annoys the hell out of me, mine a 2007 with the fully comp BMW insured warranty, wonder what the chance of having this done for free???????????????

Originally Posted by eschnabs

Just had a similar issue fixed on my wife's 2010 X5 Xdrive30i...with 24,000 miles on it. Here is what the repair sheet said.

"Customer states steering wheel is noisy when you turn the wheel." Test drove and duplicated noise at lower steering column. Survey faults with ISTA and work test plan for steering noise. Per test, removed lower dash panel and inspect. Located noise at steering shaft collar bushing. Per test, lubricated bushing and retest. Correct noise complaint.

We have had the vehicle back for a few days now and so far so good. Hope that helps.

I had the exact same issue on my 2010. They initially thought it was in the column but their "fix" only had me back a short time later. They wound up replacing the rack and that resolved the issue.