Brian, you've got the classic dry or worn spring contact on the horn ring.� Here's how to fix:� pop off the horn pad, unscrew the big nut securing the steering wheel, (make a mark on both the steering wheel and the shaft with the splines so that when you put back together the steering wheel is correctly aligned) then lift and remove steering wheel.� You will see the round brass horn ring and the berylium-copper contact spring (part of the turn signal assembly).� You need to clean these contact areas thoroughly, like with rubbing alcohol to get off all the old, hardened grease which is now embedded with work-hardened bits of corrosion and debris.� Then clean off all corrosion with a Scotch-Brite pad or the like on BOTH.� Try to look at the contact spring with a 5X eye loupe or magnifying glass with good light; if it's "flat" on the top from wear, you should get out a small instrument file and "round off" the sharp corners, the "leading" and
 "trailing" ones.� I you don't round the contact area and there are sharp transitions, the repair will only be temporary and you'll be doing it again in about 10,000 miles.

Of course, you can always buy new components at GoWesty; I think they're about $40 each.

Anyway, then lubricate both horn ring and contact spring by applying a thin film of dielectric grease....will ease future wear and prevent corrosion, too.

Reassemble steering wheel, nut, and horn pad, and enjoy smooth turning again.

Rich
85 Vanagon
San Diego

--- On Mon, 1/18/10, Brian T. <nobleman1962@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

From: Brian T. <nobleman1962@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: noise in steering wheel - rotating left or right
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Monday, January 18, 2010, 10:03 AM

Has anyone gotten gravelly grating sound from their steering wheel when they rotate it left or right?
�
My 90' MV has developed this and it's driving me nuts
�
Thanks,
Brian�