<snip>
>1) what size of socket is needed to remove the steering wheel?

Mark,
Mine ('86) was 24mm

>2) where is the best place to get the contact rings?  I didn't see them on
>busdepot.com or vw-auto-parts-wholesale.com

I cut a small piece of brass shim stock and carefully soldered across
the blown out spot on my ring...

>3) how does the turn signal switch figure into this?

Uhhhh.... dunno. I didn't fiddle with any TS stuff when I fixed mine.

Steve