Steering wheel noisy when turning?

[jabba]

Hey everyone,

Steering wheel has started to make a groaning noise when turning, right where the wheel makes contact with the column. It's not a plastic on plastic noise. My previous Audi had also done this, ends up it was a small spring in the steering wheel somewhere. Just wondering if anyone else has heard this noise, it just started happening--the car has 20k miles on it.

Other than that, no real issues: had to get bluetooth fixed, and got the interior silver plastic trim pieces replaced. Might be hearing the infamous click when reversing in the morning, but funny enough my MazdaSpeed 3 makes a similar noise, I'll worry about it when I get close to warranty expiring. Tread on the tires is starting to get low at 20k, we'll see how she does this winter, the Yokohama Paradas might be in my future sooner than I think! I'll blame my driving style more than the tires, this car is still darn fun to drive!

 

[CX9Zoom]

Sometimes, I have the same noise. Let me know if you discover what the problem is.

 

[Davicho]

I have the same noise on my 2004 Ford Escape (esentially a Mazda Tribute) and I have pinpointed that the noise or sound is coming from the clockspring. For those that do not know what that is: it is the electrical contact for the steering wheel airbag. It sits behind the airbag assembly and it provides the electrical connection from the airbag to the main SRS control unit, however, since the steering wheel has to rotate in order to steer, the clockspring is a two piece donut shaped sandwiched contraption and also rotates but keeps constant contact with both the steering column and the airbag assembly. I bet anything that the groaning noise I have is the same as yours in the CX-9.