Restoring cracked steering wheel.

Alec

Alec

Active member
Has anyone has success in restoring a steering wheel with several cracks?
I'm looking to improve the looks of my '48 Cub.
Maybe some kind of filler?
Do we know what the wheel is made of?
 
Yes there are several products on the market. Go to the search bar and type in steering wheel repair. You will get a whole bunch of hits. After you get done, you can put a vinyl or leather cover over the steering wheel and wrap it sold at Walmart.
 
D

Thread 'How To ReFurbish A Steering Wheel'

REBUILDING A STEERING WHEEL

The processes of weathering and wear during a period of several decades takes its toll on the condition of the wheel. But with minimal effort, you can restore much of its original appearance.

The first step in the process is removing the wheel from the steering shaft. Heat and penetrant may be needed to loosen the nut. Following its removal , similar applications of heat and penetrant should facilitate removal of the wheel from the shaft. If additional persuasion is necessary, a puller may be used or the hub of the wheel may be tapped...
 
Take good care NOT to damage the threads at the top end of the steering shaft...they are fine threads and quite difficult to repair if damaged.

Once you have removed the nut holding the steering wheel, if it won't easily pull off, the easiest way I have found is using a puller. (Put the nut back on loosely first)

As for repair, I have had success using JB WELD to fill the cracks, as well as missing chunks, in a badly damaged wheel.

I believe they were originally steel covered with molded hard rubber which deteriorates in the sun. You can sand them down until you get to good solid material, and then start building up the cracks and missing areas a little at a time...sanding in between layers. Once it's the correct shape, you can paint it with a satin black paint.

It's time consuming, and if you paid for your labor you'd be better off buying a new aftermarket one!!😉

But it is satisfying!
 
Dale Finch said:
Take good care NOT to damage the threads at the top end of the steering shaft...they are fine threads and quite difficult to repair if damaged.

Once you have removed the nut holding the steering wheel, if it won't easily pull off, the easiest way I have found is using a puller. (Put the nut back on loosely first)

As for repair, I have had success using JB WELD to fill the cracks, as well as missing chunks, in a badly damaged wheel.

I believe they were originally steel covered with molded hard rubber which deteriorates in the sun. You can sand them down until you get to good solid material, and then start building up the cracks and missing areas a little at a time...sanding in between layers. Once it's the correct shape, you can paint it with a satin black paint.

It's time consuming, and if you paid for your labor you'd be better off buying a new aftermarket one!!😉

But it is satisfying!
Click to expand...
Hmm.
Satisfying?
Where do I get a new one?!!
 
Dale Finch said:
Take good care NOT to damage the threads at the top end of the steering shaft...they are fine threads and quite difficult to repair if damaged.

Once you have removed the nut holding the steering wheel, if it won't easily pull off, the easiest way I have found is using a puller. (Put the nut back on loosely first)

As for repair, I have had success using JB WELD to fill the cracks, as well as missing chunks, in a badly damaged wheel.

I believe they were originally steel covered with molded hard rubber which deteriorates in the sun. You can sand them down until you get to good solid material, and then start building up the cracks and missing areas a little at a time...sanding in between layers. Once it's the correct shape, you can paint it with a satin black paint.

It's time consuming, and if you paid for your labor you'd be better off buying a new aftermarket one!!😉

But it is satisfying!
Click to expand...
This^^^^^
 
There was a good post on here that I used to cover the steering wheel on my 48. Wrap it with electrical splicing tape. Works well, looks decent and is a lot cheaper than a new steering wheel. If you got big chunks out of it fill them with JB Weld, then wrap it.
 
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