Steering wheel refurbishment?

GvidoR

Hola!

Anyone have tips on repairing this, which I assume is sun damage? Anyone done something like in this video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7EGBzU09G4



Also, while we're on the topic of steering wheels, when I switch back from full beam, the stalk goes back slightly too far sometimes going into the "flash" position, meaning I have tap it forward a bit for the full beams to turn off. Also when I am indicating right, sometimes it doesn't turn off automatically when turning the steering wheel and it never goes off when indicating left. Any suggestions what to look for?

Thanks.

ironclaw

Part and parcel of a car of the age. You could replace the wheel and column. Not a huge job if you are relatively handy. If it has an airbag, its a shade trickier but not impossible. As for the stalk, some compressed air into the joint and a good clean of any mechanism you can see may help. Silicon lubricant may assist but depends on the hinge action, the spring / hinge is likely a little stiff.

To put it another way, the cost of doing so will likely equal a high percentage of the cars value. Its down to whether you can live with it or not.

ironclaw

Part and parcel of a car of the age. You could replace the wheel and column. Not a huge job if you are relatively handy. If it has an airbag, its a shade trickier but not impossible. As for the stalk, some compressed air into the joint and a good clean of any mechanism you can see may help. Silicon lubricant may assist but depends on the hinge action, the spring / hinge is likely a little stiff.

To put it another way, the cost of doing so will likely equal a high percentage of the cars value. Its down to whether you can live with it or not.

JohnBoy26

It's worn and not really repairable. The best thing to do would be to get another steering wheel.

tom petty

There was a guy on a classic BMW site I use who did a similar restoration on a leather wheel but commented that even after several months the wheel had an unpleasant sticky feel to it , he was in Florida so maybe that failing won't apply here ........
I fitted a leather cover like this one onto a Transit that I still have and it transformed the look and feel of the wheel.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-MITSUBISHI-SHOGUN-PAJERO-DARK-GREY-ITALIAN-LEATHER-STEERING-WHEEL-COVER-NEW-/261162594705?hash=item3cce80f191:g:5g0AAOxyhs9RCCiB
Done properly it certainly will look and feel good and providing you go for a subtle thread /leather colour mix I'm sure would solve your problem.
I cannot find the seller I used but he did ask for the overall diameter and circumference of the grip . I'd do a little more searching and hopefully find one who asked for the same dimensions instead of offering a one fit for all , or alternatively contact the seller and ask if he can supply a bespoke cover for your car .
They are surprisingly good .
Good luck.

Neilw

Plenty of places to have your wheel retrimmed in any number of finishes of leather or alcantara, that's what I'd do.

GvidoR

A retrim would be expensive, no?

I will do a bit more research, might get a cover or a different steering wheel, depending on costs and all.

JohnBoy26

GvidoR wrote: »

A retrim would be expensive, no?

I will do a bit more research, might get a cover or a different steering wheel, depending on costs and all.

A breakers yard or eBay might be your best bet. Maybe try eBay UK. Those cars where popular over there and many low mileage example probably ended up in the breakers due to rust.

CJhaughey

Thats a pity, I saw an estate version of one of those being lifted into a scrap lorry this week.
My steering wheel on my Starship Avensis is the same. It has 327k on it so its bound to have seen some sun occasionally.
At this stage I have accepted it and think its just part of the normal wear patina of a high mileage/old vehicle.

wandererz

There's a guy on adverts located in Navan who retrims steering wheels.

Charges €100 normally for the likes of BMW steering wheels.

wandererz

There's a guy on adverts located in Navan who retrims steering wheels.

Charges €100 normally for the likes of BMW steering wheels.