550 Noise While Steering

Same issue here, I have 08 535i with sport/ 18" runflats. only in low turns and parking or reverse.


If we all have this issue, then it's safe to say it's kind of normal considering no class action was brought on this problem?

Hey guys i think i have the same "whoooooow" sound too. I found this clip in youtupe and its exctactly what it sounds like.




Is this the sound you hear too?

I would really appreciate it if somebody found a cure for this because its really annoying at times.
I found also something in google search that that sound comes off the slip ring behind the airbag which is i think where this noise comes from. The
steering rack or any other noise comming from outside should sound differrent and have other symptoms as well like car unstability or steering wheel tremble.

I have this problem from time to time in my 535i. It's much more pronounced than what marinos6181's youtube video suggests - and it vibrates the steering wheel a little. This only happens when making a sharp turn into a parking space (at low speed).

My dealer was able to replicate but suggested it's due to front tire wear (sounds like BS). My "fix" is basically to avoid turning my steering wheel all the way to the left or right.

My car still does it, my kid even busts me when I turn into a parking space and He'll say "Nice, you even got a "woooow" out of it!". It's become somewhat of a joke in our family. It only does it in colder weather, so by summer, it will be gone until fall. We have 50K miles now, car is two months shy of 6 years old and original brake pads.

Any updates on this issue? Mine does it every once in a while. Dealer says it's not a known issue (no surprise) and could not replicate the sound.

Now at 53K miles and yes, our car still makes the "Wooowww" sound while braking and turning into a parking spot or into our L-shaped driveway when it's cool outside. It's no big deal, only does it while braking into a turn slow-speed to park. It never makes the sound while slowly turning into a parking spot without brakes applied - it's simply the brake pads oscillating on the front rotors pure and simple. With warmer weather, this sound is gone until fall! Drive your machine worry free!

Yup, add me to the list. Only happends at slow speeds pulling into parkig spots, started happening a few months ago once and a while and now its more frequent. 08 550i w/sport package. Whooooom is the sound I'd say, no clunks. 31k miles on her.

Started happening to my 06 530i too . It started right after i replaced my front brake pads and rotors.

Yeah, I think it's related to the brakes. Maybe they move just enough to squeal in a sharp turn.

Wow...I have been having the same exact issue on all previous E60's I've had execpt for one. Had it on my 08 and 10 535i and now on my 10 550i. The only E60 that didn't have the problem was my 04 525i with Active Steering....never really thought of it as an issue since it never really affected any of my previous cars and like many of you say here, it does not happen all the time.

mine is a chirping sound that happens when i am turning left only and at slow-med speed and only if coasting or accelerating for a turn. It is going into the shop ill post what they say

Ok guys, long time lurker, first time poster. I have a 2006 525xi, a couple of months ago started experiencing a , at the time, random ......like clunk/shimmy/sound when turning left, from the stop sign in my condo complex. Then when backing into my garage, also while turning left. Only at slow speeds, usually while parking.......it became progresivly worse so eventuly i could predict when it would do it. I could almost come to a stop, turn the wheel slightly left and get that sound/clunk/shimmy......came on here investigating, saw this thread. Went to my independent mechanic, always been straight up, passed along what I had read, they took a gander. Since I'm not under any kind of warranty I would have to pay for the exploration to fixing this. They determined that the "Thrust Arm Bushings" ( bushings attached to the stabilizing arms on the front suspension) were prematurely toasted. Remedy was to press out the bad bushings, install new thrust arm bushings, reinstall thrust arms. $133.78 in parts, $305.57 in labor...........

I was hesitant as I have heard so many "theories" as to what the problem could be, "so what if you replace these and it's not the problem?" I asked, " we'll theyre bad so like a doctor thats the first things we would tryas they have failed......" said ok, happy to say, problem solved and has been over a month, several good drives in and all good. The steering is so much tighter, really happy cause it bummed me out parking and feeling/hearing that shutter. Seeing how many fellow owners are experiencing this , I had to post and let you know of a avenue to check out. Especially for those under warranty getting the run around. Hope this helps. Like I said, totally eliminated the problem and the steering feels so much better.

Check to see if the noise goes away when you turn off the AC fan. That was the case for me the noise was a bad AC fan motor.

2006 530xi: My steering just sqeeks whenever I turn it..........sounds like rubber against rubber (or vinyl against vinyl) any ideas?

I have a 2009 550i and I usually hear the whinning sound when I'm turning into a parking spot. It sounds like the power steeling. Brought it to BMW and of course they couldnt replicate the noise. Kind of embarassing you turning into a spot and people looking up becuase your car is whinning. I'm gonna bring it in and have a tech drive with me next time.

Guess whos back, back again
Shadys back, tell a BMW!!!

Well noise is back, mine as well. It's always during cold weather.

Originally Posted by phlfly

Guess whos back, back again
Shadys back, tell a BMW!!!

Well noise is back, mine as well. It's always during cold weather.

Lolz ^^


Mine does it every once in a while.

mine still does it; just sounds like vinyl against vinyl

Well guys i seemed to have found a self remedy to mine. Now its been 4 months no squeaking no sound what so ever when i am turning either left or right. I am not sure what the problem was and i will explain why...... I read about so many theories that it could be, so 1 day i did this: First i jacked up the car and checked every detail on the steering parts to be in place and proper condition then i WD40 everything and placed marine grease to every moving piece. Dont forget to spray WD40 to the lower steering bearing before attaches to the raquel. Then lowered the car removed the + battery pole and then removed the steering wheel and airbag, so i sprayed and greased the upper bearing of the steering column and also every other moving part under the steering wheel with marine type grease. Put everything back together drove the car and could still hear the noise. Then after a week out of nothing the noise disapeared and its been 4 months now i havent heard anything. Also a couple of weeks after i did what i did i changed my front brake rotors,pads and sensors. So i dont know what was the problem exactly but i think it was something related with the first fix. Now its all good and i am not ashamed of my BMW. Hope it helps you guys too because i was really desperate about this. If any noise pops up again will let you all know but hopefully it doesnt.

I am just living with it. Still sounds like vinyl against vinyl to me.......

2007 550i with 66k miles. Add me to the list as well. I notice this particularly while I'm in the parking garage at work. Usually it happens when the car is doing a right turn on a slight incline or decline.

My '08 535 w/ 45k miles does this from time to time as well. I agree with MSAMMY with the oscillating brake pads theory, makes perfect sense.