Steering wheel and horn problem

[Red Rocco]

Hi all, I have a '91 GT2 with a four button steering wheel date stamped '85, when I bought the car I noticed the steering wheel rubbed on the ignition cover so i took the steering wheel off to have a look, the part of the stalk controls under the steering wheel was covered in electrical tape so i peeled it off and put the wheel back on then every time i turned the wheel the horn went off! The stalks were a bit knackered so i replaced them hoping it would cure the problem, it didn't so I bypassed the horn and put a button for it by the ashtray. The wheel rubbed on the ignition cowling so bad i had to shave the plastic down. Is some sort of spacer needed? It was my understanding that an early steering wheel wouldn't fit a later car without one but mine goes straight on without but rubs and sets the horn off!
Please help as i want to put a gauge in the space where i've had to put the horn button

[mr.brown]

"Small spline" up to around 88/89 and "Large spline" thereafter. The only difference is a spacer/adapter and a spring underneath. Example here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-JETTA ... xyBvZTQZt1

Once you remove any VW steering wheel you will see a brass ring inset into the reverse side - this is the horn contact ring. Look at the last picture on this auction:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-MK2-Golf-J ... Sw-itXuBbA

If you look at the stalks underneath you will see a brass contact - that can be bent to provide a better contact. I had exactly the same issue when putting the 4 button wheel onto a 1990 GTpoo. I gave up in the end but I think it was to do with the alignment of the ring and the contact not matching.

[DannyH]

I had this problem before and it was down to the insert that carries the brass ring sitting proud.

A whack with a rubber mallet sorted it out.

Worth a look.

[Mark H]

Had the same problem, got the spacer sleeve from Mark @ Classic-VW. No problems now

[james butler]

Had the same problem, got the spacer sleeve from Mark @ Classic-VW. No problems now

this is exactly what you need!
if you remove the large spline adapter there is a plastic spacer thats supposed to go on before fitting small spline wheels.
otherwise the column slips down a bit so the wheel makes contact with the brass ring setting the horn off.
i did put a picture of this plastic spacer up somewhere as this question has come up before i will see if i can find it