Steering wheel repair help needed.

[cougardan]

I have this old steering wheel that I've kept since I was a teenager ( about 30 years ). I just had to have the center rechromed back then- talk about putting the cart before the horse! Anyway, I really want to use it.

The problem is that the bakelite or early hard plastic, hard rubber or whatever has a break in it. Clean through in one spot. It has no metal core.

How could I possibly repair it or replace the ring and keep the chromed spokes. Any ideas? Maybe something I haven't thought of? I think I've stared at it too long.

Thanks, Dan

[BELLM]

I have used plain old cheap two- part epoxy. Worked well every time. Last was on tractor, sat outside 10- 12 yrs, sold it recently. Painted after repairing, never broke down.

[Machinos]

You can definitely fix the bakelite, but if it doesn't have a metal core, maybe you should take a Dremel or something and carve out a 1" or so wide part across the break, down to the middle of the wheel, and stick a like a course-threaded screw in there before you fill it in. That way it won't break there again as easily.

[Deyomatic]

Yeah, JB weld did just fine on my 55 this week. Ugly as shit, but I'm not done yet. I like Machinos' idea with the screw.

[Morrisman]

Try grinding a deep 'weld prep' type chamfer round it, then fill that with JB weld. Bit of sandpaper, good as new http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'd be careful that brittle old Bakelite doesn't fall totally to pieces one day when you're all sliding sideways, smoking them hides and pulling hard on that old wheel to line things up again. Be kinda nasty if a handfull came away http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[1oldtimer]

the steering wheel restorer guys use a epoxy called PC-7, the key it to widen the crack so the stuff will go in all the way.

[Deyomatic]

While I was doing mine, my neighbor came over and devised an ingenious idea...
He said to wrap the steering wheel with clear packing tape and poke a small hole. Mix the JB weld and put it into a syringe, the type you get at woodworking type stores, for wood glues and such. This way, you can inject the JB weld into the hole and it will conform to relatively the shape you want, then just finish sand it once it's dry.

[NITROFC]

POR 15 Steering Wheel Repair Kit

http://www.por15.com/product.asp?productid=332

[cougardan]

Thanks everybody for the replies.

Morrisman, you nailed the problem I see. Without a core, If I brake hard or hit something and I brace myself on the wheel, what keeps it together?


Dan

[NealinCA]

That is a Model T wheel. You should be able to buy a new rim for it from one of the T parts suppliers. They are available in bothe bakelite and wood.

Hope that helps.

Neal

[lownslow]

pc-7 is the shiznit......... really it works well......AND available at most hardware stores..... the por 15 is crap....and so is the eastwood stuff....both of these the cracks come back after some time in the extreme heat or cold.i found that out the hard way......just make sure you get the epoxy all the way down in there and make sure that the crack you are repairing is super clean....