yourwelcome David.
another  favorite 'horn trick'is when hastily inserting theignition key
and getting another key inthe horn contact area and making the horn blow
..that's always a fun surprise.

there are hundreds of spots on vanagons that don't get attention or
lubrication.
half the time I am +the first person ever* to lube something.
I even see desparatelysqueaky sliding doors after the van has been to a
shop ..
even for a whole engine install sometimes. ....and could anyone find 4
seconds to shoot the door sliding spots  ? ...evidently 'nope.'
I see it all the time.
If nothing else I just shoot a squirt of WD into the horn contact area.
No need to take it all apart..
except to check the condition of the horn contact right.  WD has *never*
done me wrong on any electrical contacts, not for the last 40+ years
anyway.

scott

On 12/12/2012 8:34 PM, David Clarkson wrote:
> My experience as an automotive service advisor and service manager has
> told me the same thing. Most people don't think about their horn until
> it won't stop blowing. Those stories are always entertaining as is
> finding the fuse and pulling it when the come in with the horn stuck
> when they are about 4th in line to get into the service lane and
> getting everyone else all worked up! Or it doesn't work at all and
> they have to get the "Watch for finger" bumper sticker. Thanks for the
> grease recommendation Scott.
>
> David Clarkson
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
> To: David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@AOL.COM>
> Cc: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wed, Dec 12, 2012 9:54 pm
> Subject: Re: Upper steering column grease recommendation and what else
> to do while replacing ignition switch
>
>              Hi ..
>        I just use a good wheel bearing grease on that bearing.
>                   yes, the steering wheels just
> slip                    right off the splines. Never saw
> one                      that didn't on a vanagon.
>
>
>                   Nice to read that                      someone is
> paying attention to ensuring the longevity of their horn contact ring..
>                         Mostly they never get
> thought                         about at all,  it appears to me.
>                            They wear in
> the 'one spot' of course....since the
> steering wheel is in the straight
> ahead position the                                    majority of the
> time.
>                                     lol...there are
> a                                      few vans where you have to
> turn                                      the steering wheel a little
> to get                                     the horn to work.
>                                       Fortunately
> that                                       is a part we can easily get.
>
>                                        scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
>                             On 12/12/2012 1:31 PM, David Clarkson
> wrote:
>
>     I am replacing my ignition switch since mine has      almost 300k
> on it and it's just a good idea IMHO. The part is very affordable and
> so far the whole repair has been much simpler than      I
> imagined-didn't need a steering wheel puller at all. While I was
> looking at things I noticed the original solidified grease on the
> upper steering column bearing that is exposed and thought that I
> might re-pack it with some new grease. I was thinking of a moly
> grease but would like the group's recommendations. I was also
> thinking of cleaning the horn button contacts and connections and
> lightly coating them with some di-electric grease. Any other
> things that I might inspect, lubricate or do while I am in this
> neighborhood? The van is down for a few days awaiting a starter
> rebuild so I want to do it all while I'm in there. Oh, and I did
> remember to scribe a mark on the end of the steering shaft so
> that      I will get the wheel correctly aligned when it all goes back
> together. Thanks everyone.
>
>      David Clarkson
>      90 Westy
>