Squeaky steering?
 

Writing you from Michigan, where the weather has been hovering around freezing these past few days. I noticed when parking, or pulling in the driveway, my '05 X3 is making a squeaky noise, almost like a bird chirping, when I turn the wheel. Is my steering fluid low? Is it the weather? Anyone?

I have a similar high pitched noise but it is from the "vinyl or pleather" surround on the steering column.

I have had the problem intermittently for about 6mos. Finally, the service engineer when on a test drive with me and heard the same thing. It ended up a replacement of the streering rack.

I was at the dealer last week, went on the test drive, we couldn't hear it, so I'm going to leave it January 8th ovenight so they can take it out cold in the morning. Not power steering fluid. Likely a housing on the steering column. We'll see. . .thanks for the input. . .

I have been hearing some sounds when turning wheel at slow speeds. My guarantee just ended... Is this serious? How big service?

Depends on what your issue is, if it is a steering rack...$$$$. Take it to an independent shop and get a diagnosis as it will probably cost less there then at BMW.

My appointment is January 8--I will let you know what they say. . .

We also had our steering rack replaced. Instead of a squeaking noise, the noise was similar to the sound you would make by dragging your fingernail on cloth. Yeah, that part is expensive. Fortunately, the replacement was under warranty.

Just same kind of voice. What happens if I dont change it? Noice itself does not matter.

Any news on this one?