[fgwinn]

My SLK350 steering wheel emits a squeaking and groaning sound when turned in either direction. My guess is that it has something to do with an air bag seal. Has anyone experienced a similar noise? How was it resolved?

 

[malibuite]

Maybe it is just complaining about the cold weather....[8D][8D][8D]

 

[fgwinn]

Malibuite - What are you talking about? For Ohioans T-shirt weather starts at 36 degrees F. It's definitely not the temperature. But it turns out that it's not the steering wheel per se. The noise and "feel" of the groan are transmitted up through the steering column to the steering wheel, but the actual noise appears to be coming from the other end of the steering column. If I stand outside the car and move the steering wheel I can hear the groaning and squeaking from under the hood. I will have it checked out when I bring it in for the 3000 mile dealer visit.

 

[brown klister]

Normally, when the steering wheel emits a groan and/or grinding sound as it's turned lock-to-lock, it indicates trapped air in the power steering fluid. It usually goes away when the car warms up but returns after the car is sat for a while.

You may have a small leak in the power steering system or perhaps the system was recently serviced and not properly refilled or bled when the ATF was topped up.