My car has been suffering from a ‘squeaking’ noise when travelling and is noticeable when a low speeds with windows open.

I assumed it was my rear heat shields under the boot moving, I removed these however the squeaking is still there.

I jacked the rear up and took the wheels off, and used a long ...

I don’t have a jack where I work, but will check when I get home at weekend. My intial thoughts were the end of the spring has fractured, but couldn’t see with the car on the ground.

Well after my crank shaft pulley issues I took the front of the car off axel stands, in doing so the passenger front suspension was sagging slightly around an inch.

I drove it a few hundred miles yesterday but no improvement seen.

Would a knackered strut cause this?

Crank shaft pulley was the source of the steering problem! Kinda glad it was as I didn't fancy changing the pump out!

Indeed it is!

Didn't smell anything and I was looking for it when I had the battery problems thinking I had a short.

Fingers crossed I don't need to change the power steering pump, however I probably need to change the power steering fluid as I shone a torch in the reservoir and it was very murky...

So it seems my Spidey sense was correct with it being the crank pulley!

I don't believe in BMW 'Special Tools', managed to lock the flywheel from undercar with flat head screw driver (Two Man Job), et volia!

Yes it parted when taking the AC belt off!

Why do BMW and easy never go together.......

Update: Ok, removed the electric fan and took off belts. This revealed the crank pulley to be loose and spinning freely (without the crank shaft!), guessing this is the root of my steering problems.

Next task, figure out how to lock the crank to remove the 4 torx bolts to remove the pulley!

Seems like you might have found the issue, something clearly grumbling in the system. Can you pinpoint which one?


Unfortunately not and I tried very hard, my Spidey sense was telling me it was the crank shaft pulley from on top, I went under and the grumble tended towards the alternator and ...

Just had the front end up on jack, wheels and undertray off and nothing startling seen, however it sounds like one of pulleys is shot and making a grinding noise.

Don't think I have Dynamic Drive, will lift the car and have look tomorrow if its not raining....

Just took it out on school run, same issues remain at start up.

Thanks for the info Gents, I've not investigated yet but after driving for 5 hours yesterday I started up this morning and the steering was very heavy coming off the drive, but then eased up about 5 minutes into the journey?

Had a right time with the old battle axe this week, knocking on 307K miles and still chugging on!

Noticed a heaviness in the power steering at very low speed at opposite locks at beginning of week, checked the fluid reservoir and notice it was just below minimum.

Topped it up the next day evening ...