Steering squeaky noise, 1989 325i: what is it?

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Nancy - 29 Jan 2007 08:18 GMT

My 1989 325i has for the last couple of months been making a slight
squeaky noise, which seems to come from the front bottom; not brakes,
it's a different sound, seems to be associated with steering. I had
run out of steering fluid around that time, then added STP fluid by
mistake, then removed it and added ATP fluid. At first the sound
lasted for just a second, and could only be heard after at least half
an hour of driving, particularly after making a short turn on an
incline. Now it seems that the sound occurs after the steering motion
is over, or sometimes without even the steering motion, and lasts for
about five seconds. This doesn't happen all the time; just once or
twice during a half hour ride, usually at slow speeds right after
starting, or after getting off the freeway. It never happens at high
speed. I asked my mechanic to check it over for anything obvious, and
he didn't find anything. Does anyone know what this might be? Does
this have to do with the steering or axle or something? Thanks for
your help!

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greg1120@hotmail.com - 29 Jan 2007 14:47 GMT

>From your description, sounds like you may have a leaking power

steering pump. My 99 540I was having steering noise and it turned out
to be a leaky pump. The use of incorrect fluids can quickly lead to
the demise of any system in a BMW, as this is what goofed up my PS
pump. Other than the power steering pump, check your rack and pinion
steering system for any broken or loose connections

> My 1989 325i has for the last couple of months been making a slight
> squeaky noise, which seems to come from the front bottom; not brakes,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> this have to do with the steering or axle or something? Thanks for
> your help!

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Nancy - 29 Jan 2007 19:11 GMT

Is the steering pump expensive to fix? And if it is that, or a rack
and pinion system problem, could it lead to a sudden worsening, so
that I'm stranded on the road? I don't want that to happen. In
Japanese cars I used to have to fix cv joints all the time; but I
think that used to make a clatter, not a squeak.

On Jan 29, 8:47 am, greg1...@hotmail.com wrote:

> >From your description, sounds like you may have a leaking powersteering pump. My 99 540I was having steering noise and it turned out
> to be a leaky pump. The use of incorrect fluids can quickly lead to
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> > this have to do with the steering or axle or something? Thanks for
> > your help!

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