Creaking "finisher" center trim on M Sport steering Wheel

[XXX5]

My Y shaped "finisher" as BMW calls it on my M Sport wheel is really creaking and its driving me nuts. This piece is the Y shaped cheap hard plastic piece with the M Sport Logo on it. The Y part goes around the airbag area. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you fix it? I know there is a torx screw for that bottom section which I have tightened but its not fixed the problem. Its like the cut out for the steering wheel itself it too big so even with the bolt tightened there is too much slop between the plastic and the wheel. I searched all forums and one showed that to remove this piece the airbag must be removed which I'm reluctant to do. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[wilho]

Hi,

I had the same creaking issue with that part, but was fixed under warranty by the BMW SA, if I remember correctly they said that they added some fabric tape (!) and the noise disappeared

[XXX5]

Thanks for the info

[stewy604]

I'd remove the trim piece and re-install. Sometimes just re-seating the clips can help. The trim pops off fairly easily. Foam or felt tape as noted will help tighten things up.

[XXX5]

Originally Posted by stewy604

I'd remove the trim piece and re-install. Sometimes just re-seating the clips can help. The trim pops off fairly easily. Foam or felt tape as noted will help tighten things up.

I don't think you understand, this is the center trim thick piece at the bottom of the wheel and y's out going around the outside of the airbag. It has the M logo at the bottom of it and is made of hard black plastic with a silver center. It covers the third spoke of the steering wheel. That is where it is loose and clearly has too much play.

There are no clips, screws from back at bottom and then from what I saw on a video 2 more screws (#20 torx) behind the airbag which requires airbag removal which I don't really want to play with.

This is BS in a $85k car. I really like the car but all this hard shit plastic they use (everywhere) just feels and sounds cheap (because it is). My $55k VW Touareg was made of way nicer stuff and had zero squeaks and rattles.

[ZOHVI]

Mine does the same. The dealer added that felt tape to it and it still makes noise. I agree, this is complete BS for a car in this price range.

[XXX5]

Yeah you especially need to be attentive as a manufacturer to the customers direct interface i.e the steering wheel. One place you should spend the money to make sure it feels like quality. This car is a fail in many respects for the money in the quality feel area. Stupid really, doesnt cost a lot more to spec different materials. May cost them a customer down the road. If a VW has better feeling materials that is a problem!