A couple of people PM'd me about the steering wheel cover that you can just barely see in the picture at this thread:

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/082229.html

So thought I'd do a Product Review for everyone.

Like almost everyone else, the steering wheel cover in my 86GT was pretty bad. I didn't want to spend a lot of money for a new repro, and I didn't want to put a cheapo cover on it either. So I found this product at one of the local performance stores in Honolulu:



Company is called Wheelskins in Berkeley, CA. According to the box, their website is www.wheelskins.com

I purchased a Black Size AX (fits wheels 14.5-15.5 outside diameter and 3.25 to 3.5 grip). It cost me $32.00, but you probably can find it cheaper on the Mainland. (LOL...EVERYTHING is more expensive here!)

Its made from leather and its really supple (soft). The edges are folded over and all of the holes are pre-punched. Since the edges are folded over, you can pull on the waxed thread really hard without fear of the leather ripping through. In fact, the instructions encourage you to use a glove so that you can pull on the thread really tight as you go around the wheel.

The kit comes with the leather cover, detailed instructions, a blunt needle, and more than sufficient waxed thread (I think its made of cotton or nylon...whatever it is, its strong!) The cover comes in different colors and even two-tone for the Euro look.

You don't remove the existing leather. Simply place the cover over the steering wheel, and decide on a place to start, and just follow the instructions on how to thread. Not being a Boys Scout, I did not tie a good knot on the first hole, so the first few threadings were rather loose, but I then got the hang of it for the rest of the wheel. So after going around the entire wheel, I simply went through the first 2-3 holes again to pull the leather tight.

Warning! Allow ample time to complete this job, it'll take probably an hour or so. You're dealing with a LONG piece of waxed thread so you have to be careful not to get it tangled up in your lap. You also have to concentrate...a couple of times I accidently wrapped the thread AROUND the rim of the steering wheel, so I had to go back and Un-thread it to the place I messed up.

I'm really satisfied with this product. I've had it on for about 10 months now, and its still nice and tight, doesn't twist at all. And the wheel just feels better being a tad thicker with the cover.

Hope this helps!
Tom

that is exactly what I am looking for for the 88gt, I hitnk I can get a failry close match with the 2 tone, just need to look at the colors closer.... now to find a dealer....

When you say your orginal was really bad, do you mean worn or 'rolled' ( like mine. .the entire top has spereated from the glue and rolls back and forth all day. it sags too, blocking the view of the temp gauge )

Im wondering if you can just put it over a 'rolled' one and it be tight enough? Not that im apposed to stripping my wheel.

My wheel was worn and rolled along the top, but it wasn't loose as you describe. I put mine on, pulling really tight on the string to bring the edges together. Once its on, I can't even use two hands to try and roll the cover itself, so its on pretty tight. For a wheel where the leather is alreadly loose, it'll probably depend on how bad it is. I plan to redo my other Fiero where the leather IS loose but its not that bad (but it does roll). I'll experiment and do about a quarter of the wheel just to see if its able to pull it tight and keep it in place.

What if the "goo" is completely gone ? Do they suggest what to use as a filler.

I have a wheel which has everything stripped down to the metal ring.

I looked at the instructions, doesn't say anything about a bare wheel. And unfortunately, I didn't measure the width of the leather before I installed it. The box does say it will fit wheels with a rim (circumference) of 3 1/4" to 3 1/2", so I guess it'll depend on how many inches around a grip that a stripped wheel is.

BTW, there are apparently many combinations of colors, wheel diameter, and grip/rim circumference, so they may have something that would fit a stripped wheel better. And I'm not sure what you would put on a stripped wheel (glue?) before putting the cover on, if anything. Their website has a link to e-mail questions, maybe they can help with this directly. Apparently they also special order sizes too, at no extra cost!

Put this Leather Wheel Skin on several years ago, took about an hour to stich it on -

[This message has been edited by Bruno Mid Engine (edited 04-29-2007).]