There is a small diameter copper wire or post between the part of the steering wheel that rotates and the part that’s stationary. It makes a high pitched squeak when I turn the wheel. More of a slight annoyance than anything. Is it supposed to be there for some reason, e.g., electrical conductivity? It’s at the six o’clock position. I can move it with a small screwdriver. Just trying to avoid pulling the steering column apart on a 2004 XJR. Thanks.

 

No wires should be protruding from your steering wheel.

Not sure how that wire would make a high pitch squeak--could that be a separate issue? There's a well known power steering whine that Jag issued a TSB for, the noise originates in the rack due to a seal but sounds for all the world like it's in the steering column inside the car. The fix is an additive to the p/s fluid. I found that draining and refilling with Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic ATF also solves the noise issue.