8 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHCreaking in steering column
Reported or suspected cause
clock spring
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
The issue is the clock spring under the column cover.
Leading evidence: 'clock spring' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'clock spring' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend against a diy fix' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I found out the details when mine was replaced about 2 years ago under warranty.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
The tech person strongly recommended against a DIY fix because of the explosives located in the air bag.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
8 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T103553Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I get a nasty creaking sound from my steering column when turning the wheel at slow speeds. It sounds like plastic binding together and it�s definitely coming from steering column and not the suspension. It only happens in cold weather and it�s very annoying
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Seems like a fairly common problem because a search turned up several threads asking about this exact problem. The most likely culprit I found was a �faulty spring in the steering assembly�. Does anyone know the name of the offending spring and if it�s a DIY for the mechanically challenged?
Thanks Rennlist
I have the same problem, it happened when my shop changed the 4-spoke into a 3-spoke...it happens only once in a while and doesn't bother me enough to do something about it.
There's a similar question in the tech section of the latest Porsche Panorama. The tech person strongly recommended against a DIY fix because of the explosives located in the air bag.
Enough said about the possibility of a DIY - no need to risk life & limb... did they mention the name of the spring or specify the cause of the problem?
The issue is the clock spring under the column cover. The noise is the spring rubbing the cover. The normal fix is to take loose the screws that hold the cover on and shift the cover so it is no longer rubbing. If it does it for a long period of time, it can stretch the spring. Once the spring is stretched, it has to be replaced. Unfortunately, they don't replace just the spring. It is part of the switch cluster that includes the turn signal, computer and wiper switches. I found out the details when mine was replaced about 2 years ago under warranty.
the steering wheel in my m3 creaked lightly but didn't impact driveability so i ignored it (and i could've had it covered by the factory warranty)
good luck
Are you 100% sure it's coming from the steering column? I had a similar creaking noise when I would turn the wheel at low speed. I traced the problem to my upper strut mounts. They are rubber. Maybe explore this option. Pop your trunk, turn on your car but don't start it. You can then have someone turn the wheel while you listen in the trunk. I ended up lubing the strut mounts after jacking up the car so you can get the lube sprayed in there. Check it out!!
Thanks for the info guys. I'm 99% certain it's in the column but I'll stick my ear in the trunk for a minute. Boy, that's a real pisser if the entire cluster has to be replaced.
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