BMW Repair: BMW, ball joints, 330xi

Question
I have a 2002 330XI with a squeeky steering wheel.  It is an AWD and has a 5 speed manual transmission.  Mostly, it squeeks when I am moving slow and turning to the right.  You can hear it louder outside the car than from inside the car.  Can you make any suggestions?  Thanks!

Answer
Hey there eva, It's most likley not your steering wheel that is squeeking.  These cars have poly urithane bushings in the front end which are supposed to last longer then the conventional ones.  The sound you are hearing is probably one of those bushings going bad.  A good way to check that is to take it to any shop and have them spray some type of oil based lub on them, especially the right side and drive it and see if that stops the noise and go from there.  There is really nothing in the steering wheel column that will squeak.(just the airbag, turn signal switches and ignition switch) Take a look at the ball joints control arms and rack.  Those all have bushings in them.  And it doesn't cost a lot to spray them down.  While you have it up in the air on the lift, also check your brakes.

Tell me how it turns out.

Take care,

Rahim.