steering wheel grinding

[joshstanvw]

wondering if anyone can help. Over the last few days my steering wheel has developed a grinding noise and i have not a clue why its coming from just behind the steering wheel itself and is no harder to turn than usual

[Lewy]

Check that nothing has got between the cowling and the wheel itself as that would create a scraping/grinding noise.

[Screech16v]

Theres a contact slip ring for the horn behind there,you need to pull the steering wheel off ,give it a clean off and apply a smear of copper slip ,job done 

[joshstanvw]

thanks guys i will do that tomorrow and hope the annoying grind goes away

[thai-wronghorse]

Theres a contact slip ring for the horn behind there,you need to pull the steering wheel off ,give it a clean off and apply a smear of copper slip ,job done 

This, all three of my mk3's have have needed this doing at some point.

[sharki786]

could be the suspension top mounts. mine groans & moans lol

[doom_bar]

Sorry for the dumb question but an you confirm how you remove the steering wheel? Is it just a case of prising of the centre cover and undoing a centre nut? What about the airbag?

[thai-wronghorse]

DO NOT PRISE THE AIRBAG OFF! Disconnect the battery and leave for 10minutes, then undo the two hex/ Allen key bolts on the rear of the wheel to remove the airbag. The yellow wiring connector on the back of it can be levererd gently from its hole with a small flat screwdriver. Now you can undo the centre retaining nut...

[philmar]

 My Vento does the same. To save time, would it be worth trying to use an airline or one of those compressed air aerosols followed by some WD40 as lubrication ?

[thai-wronghorse]

WD40 is too thin and only stops the noise very temporarily. Copper slip grease is ideal here.