FWIW, mine does this intermittently though it didn't start until a few weeks of ownership. It fixes itself though by turning the wheel back and forth a few times when the unit is unplugged (i.e. no FFB restricting movement). It does not otherwise affect usability of the unit and is frankly a minor annoyance at this point. If it wasn't still under warranty I'd just open it and apply a better lube job.

An educated guess based on having seen the internal components suggests this is a design flaw caused by the leading edge of the pinion rack pushing into the plastic of the base causing friction when turning left. Similar to how pushing a pencil eraser on a desk can squeak but pulling a pencil eraser is quiet.

The reason why it doesn't make noise turning right is because the other leading edge of the pinion rack is "supported" by the gear connected to the hall-effect sensor and this gear dampens the vibrations that would otherwise make noise. Or so I suspect.

Although sometimes annoying the wheel itself works perfectly fine otherwise.