Steering wheel

[nadams]

Is there a fix for these cracks other that buying a new steering wheel? All three posts(?) are cracked but only two pictures came out.

[1971ford]

my 3 spoke has the same cracks in the same spots. the best way to fix this is to put some sort of material (jb weld for example) in the cracks, let dry, sand, and paint. i removed my wheel and it is in the garage waiting for jb weld.

[fordman]

there is a steering whel crack repair kit made by por15 i think. and i have read that you can also repair it yourself with jb weld.

[Banjo]

open up the cracks real good with a V-shaped file, drill lots of very small holes into the cracks (to provide a grip), mix up JB Weld and push into the cracks with a popsicle stick, build up to flush, set aside and let dry day or so and if necessary sand and build up a tad more, prime and paint. Banjo.

[1971ford]

thanks banjo, i didnt know about the file and drilling steps.

[jzjames]

Id also vote for JB Weld for fixing steering wheel cracks. Clean the cracks completely and make sure its dry. Fill and contour.

[nadams]

Wow, I never thought I would get so many responses that quick. Thanks guys. I was thinking something along those lines as well. The file and holes is a great idea. I will let you know how it works out.

[seattle67]

Here's the link to the Por15 repair kit, be warned though, the price isn't for the faint of heart.

http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=SWRK&dept=11

[1971ford]

wow, thats the only other place ive seen a preval sprayer. interesting

[Steve302]

Hello,
I suggest cutting a V into the cracks as other members have advised, then once the V is cut round off the sharp edges and prep the areas with 80 grit paper, instead of using J/B weld (we had a 90% failure rate with J/B due to it being totally non flexable) i suggest using 3M bumper repair filler, its a 2 part 50/50 mix rubber based body filler. its a pain to sand but once it has the look you want it can be primed with a 2k primer, wetsanded and painted like it never happened, plus it will be able to move with the expansion and contraction of the wheel.
My shop has restored 100 or more steering wheels and probably 50 dashpads with this method and have had at least a 98% success rate with the steering wheels. (the 2% was result of cracks that came later or were thin continuations of a crack that was not noticed during repair.
Steve

[fordman]

dash pads? like ours?

[Steve302]

Hey,
Honestly i have never done a bumpside dashpad restoration, but the repair process is the same as any dash restoration, i have done them ranging from Chevelles to toyota trucks, datsun 510, and 240z, 72 chevy pickups and so on. Dash pad restoration (notice i dont say repair) is alot more time consuming than a steering wheel and as i suggest to anyone looking for a flawless dash, they should see if it can be purchased new first, that is the best option, second best option is having it upholstered, but some dont like that look, 3rd option is having it restored, it looks great but its expensive and because of the abuse a dashpad has to take i have no choice but to give a limited warranty (stock dashpads dont last forever, so a restored one wont either).
Steve

[1971fordcustom]

Hold on!! I just got some stuff from npd!!! Its por EPOXY PUTTY!! thats whats in there steering wheel repair kit, So you wont need to buy any of the other junk! Its 22$s s pound but you can use is underwater to. WOOD All kinds of things. Its all most like jb weld but better. I had some cracks in my a/c and used that. One other good thing about it its not messey like jb weld, Its just like clay you can form it mold it and it wont sag or run just stays where ya put it.

Don't take as long to harden as jb weld


buy that

[fordman]

steve the reason i want to restore instead of go new is: they dont make them in my color and i really dont trust that spray paint to color the origianl black they come in. so after you have restored one how do you recolor the restoration areas? hopefully your not going to say that spray word are you?

[Banjo]

that is better mousetrap about the rubber bumper stuff. I have only done 2 steering wheels w/JB and had no failure, but it's obvious I can't compete with the more extensive results of 100 repairs. So, that is good info to remember. Also good to hear about dash repair, but the main problem I see with our dashpads is the lack of backing in some areas, so in some areas there is nowhere to "skin" or peel back to backing plate and start over. I had a Galaxy dash pad done years ago (hard to find parts for) and you could see lumps and the guy felt so bad he didn't charge me, it was some kinda process involving a filler/paint, it wasn't an upholstery.