Any way to fill these gaps?
Posted by DaveCootchie@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 43 comments
The original leather steering wheel cover disintegrated after 30 years so I tore it off to reveal a mint rubber base model wheel underneath it. Except ford put these large relief cuts on the wheel so the stitching of the leather cover wouldn't stick up. I dig a skinny wheel on an old truck so I don't really want to throw a part store wheel cover at it but the grooves are annoying and sharp. Any suggestions beyond black JB weld?
AcanthocephalaNo7788@reddit
Steering wheel cover
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
Update time!!
Thank you for all your suggestions, I ended up finding some 5 mm braided leather cording at a craft store. It was the closest fit to the groove! And classes up the joint.
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
MysteriousDog5927@reddit
Go to the leather upholstery shop and get some leather piping and glue it in there .
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
You had the winning suggestion. I got some braided leather banding and glued it into the grooves!
MysteriousDog5927@reddit
That’s awesome , I’m glad it worked out for you !
Chevrolicious@reddit
Could wind some red string in there tight and fill the gap, tie it off and cut the tie short, then hit it with a lighter so it melts the ends together. It would add a bit of color to the otherwise all black. Or use whatever color sounds good to you. It's cheap and easy.
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
This is a good idea. Another friend recommended some Paracord. I could do sort of the same
screwytech@reddit
Might try taking the guts out of it and just using the sheath, every pair of risers on a skyrig have just the sheath holding the user up ... with about a 64x mechanical advantage
LeSpiky@reddit
Maybe some split wooden rings to match the interior
VampyreLust@reddit
3-D print some inserts made out of black TPU
MertDizzle@reddit
Bubblegum
Boxofbikeparts@reddit
I'd probably just go to the j yard and find one in better condition.
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
You'd be shocked how hard it is to find 90's trucks in any junkyards close to me. Last time I went there was 3 obs fords out of 400 cars.
Boxofbikeparts@reddit
Yes I'm sure that I'm just fortunate where I live. The j yards are typically half filled with trucks.
Vegetable-Manager-30@reddit
Pipe cleaners?
H4n_ny4@reddit
Did it come from the factory this way or is it an age-shrink thing?
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
I think they cut it at the factory. The steering wheel leather had some stitching in the same place so they probably made the relief cuts to allow the stitching to lay flat.
H4n_ny4@reddit
I got ya. And you’re not going for a re-wrap?
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
If anything is grab a cloth steering wheel cover. I like the skinny small steering wheel but if this is too annoying to fix cheaply then I'll probably rewrap it. Maybe get one of those old school wrapped covers from the 80's to fit the vibe of the truck.
H4n_ny4@reddit
I’m sure there are others that might know better, but I’ve seen a fiberglass filler used for steering wheels before. Maybe worth a look? If it were me, I’d then coat it in an epoxy resin coating to make it look nice, but I have very little experience refinishing steering wheels.
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
So far I like the fill it with thread or rope suggestions. I took a file to the the edges so they aren't as sharp when turning the wheel for now.
kestrelwrestler@reddit
Get somebody to 3d print some rings, made in two halves. Glue them in. Choice of colours, etc.
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
I had this thought too. My job has a 3D printer. Maybe I can sucker the shop manager into printing me some.
GuineaPigsAreNotFood@reddit
That rubber might not be very resistant to wear. I would get one of those leather covers that you can stitch yourself, the end result is very good, OEM like
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
It's basically an XL steering wheel underneath. The plastic isn't any different between them. Mine just had a leather cover.
Threedawg@reddit
OP, you need another cover Id bet. That rubber is going to fall apart fast.
At the very least, UV treat it
b-rentbent@reddit
Waxed thread, same color as the wood. Wrap neatly until full.
BunglingBoris@reddit
This is what I would do. Probably in black, but the look should be seamless.
Lee2026@reddit
Maybe some orings. Cut them at one point, the. Wrap it around the wheel and glue in place
Ijokealot2@reddit
You could probably use some weather stripping and just epoxy it in there. Or 3d printing a custom ring. These days, there are a bunch of local clubs and universities that would do it for very cheap or even free.
slade54@reddit
I wonder if you could cut an o ring and fit it in there - depending on the thickness of it!
weaver_the_mechanic@reddit
I have a spare steering wheel i would be willing to part with what state you in
Few-Dare7279@reddit
Para cord?
jongo_johnson@reddit
Old cheerios and pieces of candy. Only thing that works in my baby mamas car
wetblanket68iou1@reddit
Lightning steering wheel. Or just a leather wrap.
MissionFair3953@reddit
Plasta-dip.
Concernedmicrowave@reddit
There used to be a product called Sugru, which was a rubbery putty. That might work.
HSLB66@reddit
Not JB weld. I’d break a calipers out and find a piece of flexible plastic I could cut and shape (with a heat gun if needed), then glue it in there to have some colored rings. Or black if you want plain
quattro725121@reddit
Good idea. I was thinking something similar- a black rubber o-ring gasket cut and slipped on with a little bit of superglue might do the trick.
DaveCootchie@reddit (OP)
Not a bad idea. I can check work to see if they have some scrap plastic. This is when I wish I had a 3D printer!
crazysycodude159@reddit
I have an Amazon see on steering wheel cover that's just a layer of leather that you sew on around the perimeter that's been holding up for nearly ten years now. That could work without adding much thickness to the wheel.
SuperReleasio64@reddit
I have an idea... it's not the best but it is an idea.
Fill the gap, smooth it to match the rest of the wheel, then rubber dip the wheel.
Or
Fill the gap, smooth, then use some wheel leather and get it sewn up.