Steering grating noise and slipring

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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Richieroo
Joined: Mon 14 Oct, 2013 17:17
Posts: 29

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by Richieroo »

I've bought a s/h slipring to replace my grating one. Should I lubricate this in any way before I fit it? Anything I need to watch out for in fitting? I've watched some of the videos on YouTube and it seems fairly straightforward.

Thanks

Richard
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by Mike Fishwick »

I'm puzzled - why do you think your 'slipring' is grating and the replacement needs to be lubricated? The horn push and airbag are connected by a flexible connection strip similar to a watchspring. It therefore does not need lubrication, and cannot make a 'grating' noise.

I would bet that the noise is caused by the steering column shroud not having beeen fitted properly, and is touching the back of the steering wheel.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
micahz3
Joined: Wed 15 Jan, 2014 07:02
Posts: 9

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by micahz3 »

yeah, no, these contact rings definitely do develop a bit of noise when they go bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGThCsOf0UE

no lubrication required as far as i'm aware.
siwilson
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 09:54
Posts: 790

  M roadster S54
Location: Horley

Re: Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by siwilson »

A squirt of silicon spray (curtain rail lubricant) helped quieten mine down a bit.However the main noise came from the bottom of the steering column. There is a spring and bearing down there the gets dry and makes this grating noise. The sound goes up the tube making it sound like its coming for the top. I bought all the parts to replace, but its a painful job to do so I tried a handful of grease first. I spent some time working it onto the spring/bearing area. All quiet going on 2 years now :)
2001 M roadster S54 Laguna Seca Blue
Richieroo
Joined: Mon 14 Oct, 2013 17:17
Posts: 29

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by Richieroo »

Thanks - do you get to this from inside the cockpit or the engine compartment?

Richard
siwilson
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 09:54
Posts: 790

  M roadster S54
Location: Horley

Re: Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by siwilson »

Engine compartment. See where the steering column comes through the firewall and follow it down. You should see a spring at the bottom just before where it connects to the rack.

I'll warn you its a pig to get your hand down there. Some spray grease would be easier. but I did not have a long enough tube. :(
Last edited by siwilson on Mon 05 Nov, 2018 12:50, edited 1 time in total.
2001 M roadster S54 Laguna Seca Blue
zedzedthree
Joined: Fri 29 Jul, 2016 13:16
Posts: 39

  blank

Re: Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by zedzedthree »

My z3 did this grating / scuffing thing about 5 years ago and I replaced airbag squib with no change to symptoms (which were worse in cold weather)
Used a can of PTFE type bicycle lube with supplied straw and after protecting the ground,proceeded to blast about 1/3 of the can at bush-spring-uj
where it exited firewall in engine bay. Result was immediate 50% reduction in noise after a couple of days,followed up with a couple of well aimed salvos of regular 3 in 1 spray oil and next day noise had gone forever.
I followed up with a blast of thicker spray grease with ptfe and have given assembly a light spray before winter since and it remains perfectly silent.
Everything to gain and nothing to lose-just remember to protect floor below car,may take a few days to work around the bush etc but worked for me.
Richieroo
Joined: Mon 14 Oct, 2013 17:17
Posts: 29

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by Richieroo »

Well...... fixed it now - it was the slipring but not what I thought - when I dismantled the "tape" inside the ring had somehow come out from the housing and wasn't operating properly - that was the source of the noise. I did use the new one that I bought, but when I looked at the old one, I was able to wind the tape back in and it appears OK - so I've now got a spare. Don't quite know how it could have happened in the first place, bearing in mind it's all pretty contained when in place.

Many thanks for help.

Richard
zemoal45
Joined: Fri 30 Nov, 2018 23:20
Posts: 4

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Steering grating noise and slipring

Post by zemoal45 »

micahz3 wrote: Sun 04 Nov, 2018 21:07 yeah, no, these contact rings definitely do develop a bit of noise when they go bad.

gtstickers

no lubrication required as far as i'm aware.
impressive noise but generally with some 3 in 1 oil you can solve this, its good to know when you have some available 8-)
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