Squeek when turning steering wheel

[wavinwayne]

On my wife's 2004 Mercedes ML350, there is an annoying high-pitched 'squeeking' sound when the steering wheel is turned. It sounds like 2 pieces of some type of rubber or plastic rubbing together. It only happens when the car is running and at operating temperature, never when you first crank it up. It takes around 5 minutes for this sounds to start. The sound appears to be coming from right around the steering wheel/dash area. It is NOT a power steering pump issue; I know all too well what that sounds/feels like. The sound has been present since we purchased the Mercedes this past summer.

So, any of you guys have any idea what this noise could be? Solution?

 

[CBDFrontier06]

The only example of this I've ever heard of turned out to be the steering shaft bearing.

 

[alreadygone]

Bet this is common as dirt if you know of any good MB boards to ask on.

Bob

 

[V1]

Sounds exactly like what my Camry did. The metal steering shaft was squeaking against a rubber bushing near the pedals. A shot of silicone spray put an end to that quickly.

Have your wife turn the wheel while you try to zero in on where the sound is coming from. Then give it a squirt of silicone spray which is ideal for rubber.

 

[Papa Bear]

My '98 Corolla did the same thing ... turn the radio up and you won't hear it.

 

[mechtech2]

It could be the clockspring for the airbag.
That would be tough to lube.
First, try spraying silicone spray [not lube with 1% silicone in it] into the joint of the wheel and lower shroud. It may just be incidental contact there.