steering wheel rub
 

I can feel it in the steering wheel (very slight vibe) and hear a rubbing sound right at the steering wheel when I make slow speed turns, while the wheel turns. For example turning into my driveway. It's not a squeak. I don't have active steering. Is this a belt issue? Something need grease? I guess I gotta check my PS fluid too.. but I can't find a reference in the manual.

'08 3.0si with 28k miles

EDIT> updated on 6/22/12 below

EDIT> 4/30/2013: this rub sound/feeling while turning at low speeds has come back and is more frequent again. Once again, it does not have active steering. Power steering reservoir (while cold) shows halfway up to the max line so it seems fine. Anyone else figure it out?

I have the same thing on my 08 with 25k miles. I figured the power steering fluid was low. It also only seems to be prevelant in cold weather.

it's only happened the last few days for me and it's been warm. Also I checked under the hood and there doesn't seem to be a resevoir visible for PS fluid. I see windshield, antifreeze, and motor oil. Nothing in the manual's index either.

For the E53, I found this thread which says it's marked under the ATF cap (transmission fluid???): http://www.justanswer.com/bmw/1etse-...d-x5-2004.html

IMAGE:
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2866/engineec.jpg

Is that the 3.0si engine? I googled the engine, but I circled where to fill the PS reservoir. It's one of those.. says "ATF only" or something like that on it. Yes, you pour in Transmission fluid. Should be topped.

I had this issue on my 2010. They wound up replacing the rack.

thanks for confirming, it is the one closer to the front when I compare the images of X5 PS reservoirs. I open it and the oil is barely touching the bottom of the dipstick. I think this may have been what's been slowly leaking from the squirrel encounter I had months back (after the gas line twice). I'll fill this back up and see what happens - on the reservoir it says to only use CHF 11S fluid. I wonder if they allow the supposedly newer CHF202. Outside of the dealer, locally it seems only Napa Auto Parts carries CHF 11S.

Could very well be the rack since it's coming from close to the steering wheel itself. Realoem's steering category doesn't seem to show the rack. Just looking at what it may cost if not warrantied.

added some fluid and the sound persists though it's not as bad. Is this something that can be disastrous if left unchecked? Since I have to go to an indy mechanic now it's more of a hassle (no loaner/shuttle) so I'm only going to do it when/if it gets worse.

any update to this problem?

I haven't done anything to it after re-filling with my own fluid 2 weeks ago and the frequency it occurs has gone down. But it still does occur on occasion - probably not enough for a tech to find it in 1 test drive.

Is it even possible that OVER TIME the now-sufficient fluid fixes this? Is it even possible this had to do with the PS pump?

EDIT>> i was wrong - it still happened

My X5 was making a wheening soumd while giving gas, was first thinking of the alternator but at the end the steering wheel motor had to be changed cost 1600$