Steering wheel metallic squeak

[Jlaa]

Now that winter has arrived, temperatures are cooler. Accordingly, my steering wheel has developed a faint squeak on occasion while turning. I think it is bc these contacts might be dry. What kind of grease should I use here? Should it be conductive?

 

[a777fan]

As long as the contact is firm, I would just use some dielectric grease. I’ve messed with conductive grease before and it tends to get more places that it shouldn’t be than where it should.

 

[Jlaa]

As long as the contact is firm, I would just use some dielectric grease. I’ve messed with conductive grease before and it tends to get more places that it shouldn’t be than where it should.

Thank you! Would you apply the grease to the channels on the back of the steering wheel, or just dab a little on bit that protrudes from the steering column? And doesn’t dielectric grease purposely NOT conduct electricity?

 

[Kridre]

I used sunroof gleitpaste on the contact ring and pins. No noise since then.

 

[gsxr]

no no no no... those brushes are meant to be dry. do not add any lubricant! Also, dielectric grease is an insulator, it is not conductive... this would likely cause an immediate SRS fault code and warning light. (And/or the horn not working all the time.)

The squeak is probably coming from elsewhere, but may be difficult to pinpoint. Other than Kridre's mention above, I don't recall anyone reporting noise issues related to these carbon brushes...

 

[Jlaa]

I used sunroof gleitpaste on the contact ring and pins. No noise since then.

Hmmmm. My noise is a faint metallic squeak that only happens when the steering wheel is turned clockwise from 150 degrees to 155 degrees. Counterclockwise is similar. Were your symptoms the same?

 

[Jlaa]

no no no no... those brushes are meant to be dry. do not add any lubricant! Also, dielectric grease is an insulator, it is not conductive... this would likely cause an immediate SRS fault code and warning light. (And/or the horn not working all the time.)

The squeak is probably coming from elsewhere, but may be difficult to pinpoint. Other than Kridre's mention above, I don't recall anyone reporting noise issues related to these carbon brushes...

Hmmmmm. I dont know what else could be squeaking with such repeatable consistency….. that is metallic.

 

[gsxr]

I'd start with cleaning the contacts... wire brush, fine sand paper, steel wool, or similar light abrasive. See if anything changes.

 

[Jlaa]

@gsxr ok I found t

I'd start with cleaning the contacts... wire brush, fine sand paper, steel wool, or similar light abrasive. See if anything changes.

Thanks. I will sand them. I found this -

W124 - steering wheel squeak - FIXED - SEE HOW

In relation to this post: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=146840&highlight=w124+steering+wheel The squeek was getting worse (louder), most probably due to the winter climate (moist and cold). I had to do something. I followed this guide to remove the steering wheel...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

And this

W124 squeak from steering column

There is a squeak when the car is stationary and I'm turning the steering wheel lock to lock. This has nothing to do with ball joints, the squeak is coming from behind the steering wheel. I've tried spraying WD40 through the small gap between the steering wheel and column shroud but made no...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

and this … note it talks about greasing horn contacts but NOT airbag contacts. Which contacts are for the horn vs airbag?

 

[gsxr]

The 2 contacts far apart on the left side are for the horn (8:00 & 10:00 position).

The 4 contacts close together at upper right (2:00 position) are for airbag / SRS. Double double contacts for SRS redundancy.

 

[Jlaa]

Thanks everyone! I fixed the squeak. I used De-Oxit on all the spring-loaded contacts in the hub as well as the rings. Then I applied gleitpaste to the horn contacts but NOT the airbag contacts. All is quiet again!

 

[nocfn]

The best picture is 1873, 385 year supply of Gleitpaste.

 

[a777fan]

no no no no... those brushes are meant to be dry. do not add any lubricant! Also, dielectric grease is an insulator, it is not conductive... this would likely cause an immediate SRS fault code and warning light. (And/or the horn not working all the time.)

Interesting Dave - Is the SRS current low enough that it would actually be blocked by the dielectric grease? I haven't had an experience yet where a physical connection (metal on metal) was blocked by the use of it. A tail lamp bulb for example, where dielectric grease had been applied to resist moisture ingress

 

[gsxr]

Interesting Dave - Is the SRS current low enough that it would actually be blocked by the dielectric grease? I haven't had an experience yet where a physical connection (metal on metal) was blocked by the use of it. A tail lamp bulb for example, where dielectric grease had been applied to resist moisture ingress

Jon, I'm really not sure, but MB says to leave these contacts dry. Job 46-8240, section B. The SRS module monitors the connection to the airbag but I don't know what exactly it is looking for. I wouldn't want to find out the hard way that the airbag might not fire when needed...

 

[gerryvz]

The best picture is 1873, 385 year supply of Gleitpaste.

One is not a REAL 500Eboard aficionado unless they own a factory tub of gleitpaste.

 

[Jlaa]

One is not a REAL 500Eboard aficionado unless they own a factory tub of gleitpaste.

I would never have invested in a 385-year supply had I not immersed myself here!

 

[nocfn]

^^^^^^^^^

MUAHAHAHAAAA


Sad to say, but I have done this on my 126 and the blasted squeak returned not too long after it.

 

[gerryvz]

I would never have invested in a 385-year supply had I not immersed myself here!

There is a certain amount of “paste pressure” that indeed is applied to and by folks here. The 500Eboard has been a boon to MB Parts in terms of gleitpaste sales.