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Steering wheel fix – warning PICs by buddycraigg
Started on: 11-16-2003 04:48 PM
Replies: 51
Last post by: buddycraigg on 05-02-2004 04:49 AM
buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:48 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post
Does your leather steering wheel look like this?



Then this might be for you.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-16-2003).]

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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:48 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post
What you need…
News paper.
Razor blade.
2 pounds of flour.
Small pliers. (optional)
Rubber gloves (optional)
Strong stomach.

EDIT cause i speel reely gud

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-16-2003).]

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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:49 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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Lay many layers of newspaper out on the table.
Flip the steering wheel upside down.
Very carefully cut through the leather on the back side.
*I cut on the back side in case I nick the hard plastic part of the wheel it wont show
if you have pliers this can help pull the leather up as you cut it.

I can not prepare you for what you are about to see. The reddish brown goo inside there is not of this earth.
Do not attempt to touch the goo.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-16-2003).]

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:50 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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Grasp the hub and lift the wheel up.
Using one sheet of newspaper, pull off the leather cover.
Lay the wheel back down on the next sheet of paper.
Wad up the cover in some paper and set aside.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-16-2003).]

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:50 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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pour flour all over the wheel.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-16-2003).]

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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:51 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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Rub the flour in to the goo.
The goo will absorb the flour, balling up and will “roll” off of the wheel.
Don’t use too much pressure with your fingers. The trick is let the flour do the work.
You are not trying to smear the goo, you are working the flour in to it.
Use a small screwdriver to get in the molding holes in the back side and the two groves along the top.
After it’s all off you’ll end up with this.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-16-2003).]

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:52 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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Fill up the sink with warm soapy water and wash off the flour.
After it’s dry you will end up with this.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-16-2003).]

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:52 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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Here’s the finished product installed in Julia.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-16-2003).]

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Report this Post11-16-2003 04:53 PM Click Here to See the Profile for OlorinSend a Private Message to OlorinDirect Link to This Post
v. cool mate!

Thanks for the tut!

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Phil
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Report this Post11-16-2003 05:11 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PhilSend a Private Message to PhilDirect Link to This Post
How did you put the leather covering back on- and BTW it's flour?
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Report this Post11-16-2003 05:24 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Jake_DragonSend a Private Message to Jake_DragonDirect Link to This Post
I dont see a cover but it would be better than what he started with.
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Report this Post11-16-2003 05:31 PM Click Here to See the Profile for GordoSend a Private Message to GordoDirect Link to This Post
Very interesting. Now, does someone have any ideas about re-covering options?
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Report this Post11-16-2003 07:24 PM Click Here to See the Profile for ManiMackSend a Private Message to ManiMackDirect Link to This Post
Someone hook up a pic of the finished product! I have been looking at new wheels. This might be a nice way to hold off for a bit...
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Report this Post11-16-2003 07:38 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Slater_334Send a Private Message to Slater_334Direct Link to This Post
the pics dont work
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Report this Post11-16-2003 08:03 PM Click Here to See the Profile for MonsterSend a Private Message to MonsterDirect Link to This Post
DRAT! All I see is the dreaded RED X.

buddycraigg - looks like homestead has nuked access for whatever their reason is.

Sounds like it'll be a very useful tip. I've got 2 'spare' wheels that are leaking & could use a re-do.

Hope the pics come back soon

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Report this Post11-16-2003 08:14 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post
i cant get the pics small enough to load in PIP and had to use homestead.

if the band width is too much they's shut it off.

i'll see if jazz can help. he's the pic master.

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-16-2003 08:15 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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quote
Originally posted by Phil:

How did you put the leather covering back on- and BTW it's flour?


HA!

i speel reely gud.

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Report this Post11-16-2003 09:48 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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Jazz to the rescue
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Report this Post11-16-2003 10:23 PM Click Here to See the Profile for GTDudeDirect Link to This Post
Great idea, but I refill mine with silicone gasket maker/sealant once I have it stitched almost completely. This fills it and gives it shape.

Phil

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Report this Post11-16-2003 10:26 PM Click Here to See the Profile for GTDudeDirect Link to This Post

GTDude

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Great idea, but I refill mine with silicone gasket maker/sealant once I have it stitched almost completely. This fills it and gives it shape.

Phil

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If you found my advice helpful, please take the time to give me a positive rating. Thanks

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Report this Post11-16-2003 10:32 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 1MohrFieroDirect Link to This Post
Blasted Red X's. Must have pics. Buddy repost or email. Please.

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Report this Post11-16-2003 10:49 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Racingman24Click Here to visit Racingman24's HomePageDirect Link to This Post
Hey Buddy, if you send me the pics, I will post them for you on my website and link them here. No more bandwith problems then


Eric

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-16-2003 11:54 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post
a *second* + to jazz (as if that's possible) for all his help with PIP.
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Report this Post11-17-2003 12:13 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FierobsessedSend a Private Message to FierobsessedDirect Link to This Post
Got my pace car like that, no covering on it at all, just the plastic underneith it. The good part is its still alittle squishy, its not all that hard.

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Report this Post11-17-2003 12:39 AM Click Here to See the Profile for 88GTNeverfinishedSend a Private Message to 88GTNeverfinishedDirect Link to This Post
OK I'm a little confused.

Seems like a decent way to strip, although I think some solvents might be just as effective.

You didn't say anything about getting the leather back on. Looks like you didn't attempt to. The goal was to remove the leather and have a plastic wheel?

OK... I guess.

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-17-2003 12:49 AM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by 88GTNeverfinished:
You didn't say anything about getting the leather back on. Looks like you didn't attempt to. The goal was to remove the leather and have a plastic wheel?

correct.
it looks about 1000 times better than the old twisted leather.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-17-2003).]

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-17-2003 05:54 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post

buddycraigg

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what... no one else like this except for me?
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Report this Post11-17-2003 06:44 PM Click Here to See the Profile for X86GTClick Here to visit X86GT's HomePageSend a Private Message to X86GTDirect Link to This Post
A Wheelskins stitched leather cover would finish the wheel off and give a nice grip. Just won't have the covering that extends out on the spokes. They run about $30.
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Report this Post11-17-2003 07:00 PM Click Here to See the Profile for FrugalFieroDirect Link to This Post
Well, I like the idea, and because of my frugal nature I like the price! (Remember no matter how much money you make, FREE is always good!)

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Report this Post11-17-2003 07:30 PM Click Here to See the Profile for madcurlSend a Private Message to madcurlDirect Link to This Post
Yeah it may be free but...I'd rather gut a fish instead, flour it and pan fry.
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Report this Post11-17-2003 08:04 PM Click Here to See the Profile for GordoSend a Private Message to GordoDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by buddycraigg:

what... no one else like this except for me?

Hey, I gave you a "+" for it so stop complaining. We just want you to tell us how to re-cover it now. BTW, I love the idea of the flour.

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Report this Post11-17-2003 08:24 PM Click Here to See the Profile for avengador1Send a Private Message to avengador1Direct Link to This Post
So that's what is under the cover. I have seen steering wheel covers that you lace yourself, but the only cover the rim. I think the wheel looks good even if it has no cover on it.
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Report this Post11-17-2003 08:31 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Jake_DragonSend a Private Message to Jake_DragonDirect Link to This Post
I do, I plan on doing that to my car in the next day or so.
+ to you
 
quote
Originally posted by buddycraigg:

what... no one else like this except for me?

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Report this Post11-17-2003 09:49 PM Click Here to See the Profile for STRATOHACKERSend a Private Message to STRATOHACKERDirect Link to This Post
I removed the cover from my wheel by cutting the stitching instead of the leather. I then placed the old cover, goo side down, on some newspaper. I cut the paper off even with the leather so I could use the old cover as a pattern to make a new one. I traced the old cover onto new leather and cut it out. Next I used a pin-vise drill bit to drill holes in the new cover to match the old one. I stitched the 2 pieces together and stretched it over the wheel, then glued it to the wheel and using 2 needles I "base-ball" stiched the new cover on. I must say this was a genuine PITA to do and if my steering wheel would have been grey inside like buddycraig's I would have probably done the same thing he did. My steering wheel was made out of brown plastic however, and was really ugly. I will say if I ever do this again I will use his flour trick because the brown goo inside is really hard to deal with, even brake clean has a hard time cleaning it off. I do not have any pics of my wheel at this time but it does look factory and the brown goo has been banished. I used a second layer of leather inside the outer cover to make up the original thickness of the wheel. The brown goo inside is actually the padding breaking down and melting, so to recover the wheel you have to replace it to keep the thickness the same.
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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-17-2003 09:51 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post
i'm doing it to a SE wheel right now. but it will need a lot more work to make it look good.
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Report this Post11-17-2003 10:56 PM Click Here to See the Profile for FieroRumorClick Here to visit FieroRumor's HomePageSend a Private Message to FieroRumorDirect Link to This Post
wow, that's a neat way to clean up the wheel! If you don't make a new cover for it, maybe you can put one of those wheel wraps or rubber wheel covers on it.

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Report this Post11-18-2003 04:28 AM Click Here to See the Profile for SplineZClick Here to visit SplineZ's HomePageSend a Private Message to SplineZDirect Link to This Post
Heres what I did for mine..

what you'll need:

1 "Stitch Ripper" or knife to cut the treads
1 Pressure Washer
1 Can of Colemen Camp Fuel or Ronsol Lighter fluid
-----
Rip the stitches out, be prepaird for that brown crap... Rip ALL the thread out of the wheel..

put the wheel on your driveway, get the pressure washer hooked up, and use the high pressure nozzle to blast that crap off. Hold it far enough away that you dont peel the leather apart, or the plastic off the wheel..

Go over it until all of it is gone.. it will come off the leather like peeling tint off a window with a razor.. very simple, and not a spec left. Use the lighter fluid, or camp fuel to remove any residual goop.

Ive had my steering wheel like this for most the summer, unfortunatly there are some sharp molding edges that tent to wear into your hands.. Im lookin for a removeable steering wheel to replace everything

good work buddycraigg That steering wheel looked AWFUL before.. mine wasnt nearly that bad.. only had that brown "chocolate" coming out of the seams...

James Z

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Report this Post11-18-2003 04:41 PM Click Here to See the Profile for ManiMackSend a Private Message to ManiMackDirect Link to This Post
Can anyone here tell me if this will work for my 86SE. I have the leather wraped gray wheel. My leather isn't really that bad, but its not too great.

If I do this im going to have a gray wheel under it right? I don't want to end up with brown or some weird colour.

TIA

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In Toronto crusin' it up in the V6...

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buddycraigg
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Report this Post11-18-2003 05:08 PM Click Here to See the Profile for buddycraiggSend a Private Message to buddycraiggDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by ManiMack:

Can anyone here tell me if this will work for my 86SE. I have the leather wraped gray wheel. My leather isn't really that bad, but its not too great.

If I do this im going to have a gray wheel under it right? I don't want to end up with brown or some weird colour.

TIA

i'm already working on an SE. it should turn out pretty good but it's more involved. the wheel i'm using is out of an 84SE

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Report this Post11-18-2003 09:13 PM Click Here to See the Profile for BannerSend a Private Message to BannerDirect Link to This Post
Has anyone considered just dipping the wheel in that rubber goop they make for covering tools? It comes in several different colors and isn't terribly expensive. Might work out nice.
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