Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I have read through several threads on this board, and elsewhere, searching for a way to repair cracks that are typical in the steering wheels on our trucks. Every thread I read seems to suggest that in the end, the wheel will re-crack once temperature, or pressure, changes. This is especially a concern for me because I live in New England where temperatures fluctuate signficantly from summer (sometimes 100+ degrees) to winter (sometimes -10 degrees).

Has anyone actually had success in repairing an old cracked wheel, and if so, what product did you use?

I have seen the following products suggested, with varying degrees of failure.

POR15 Epoxy Putty
JB Weld
JB Stick Weld
PC-7 Paste Epoxy

I would love to find a successful resto method rather than have to settle for an ugly aftermarket wheel or non-correct year wheel however, if GM couldn't engineer a 67-72 wheel that didn't crack, does anyone really think it is possible to succeed at restoring one that already has?

Thanks for your comments/thoughts.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

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I used the PC-7 and mine started re-cracking in about a month. I just stuck it on one of my old junkers to replace a really bad one and bought a new repo.

LockDoc

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I used a gas tank repair putty stick many years ago. I used it only because that's what was in arms reach. It filled the gap and shrinked a tiny bit but not enough to notice. Not going to say this is the "best" way but it worked for me. My wheel is black so the putty blended in.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I believe eastwood makes a kit for this.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I've used JB weld in the past with a fine plastic filler.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I bought a new 1967 steering wheel. It does not feel the same. I find it very hard to the point it hurts my hands. I would rather have a repaired wheel with minor cracks than new.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

They do, but I read elsewhere that it re-cracks. Also, one of its components is the use of PC7 which Doc confirmed above re-cracked on his.

I saw a very competnet video on you tube where the guy used POR15, and the result looked great, but I have no idea whether it eventually cracked too.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I just bought a cracked original wheel on ebay for $1 so I will give it a try soon and report back.

Maybe I will try each of these products (there were lots of cracks) and see which one holds up best over time.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

For a dollar, you can't beat that for a test subject.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I used POR epoxy putty and never had a problem with it. Truck is gone now but I also used POR putty on some swimming pool tiles that had popped off. They have been in place for years now, and they sit under water in an environment of chlorine and acid so I am sold on that stuff.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I like West System Epoxy with the light weight filler that you can lightly sand, that stuff is amazing, you can even add the structural filler and drill and tap into it. Usually available at Marine supply stores, I have done many light rust hole repairs and its as strong as sheet metal.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I can't remember what it's called, but at work we use this really runny epoxy from time to time that we inject into cracks in concrete. I wonder if a guy couldn't just wrap some scotch tape around a crack and inject this right through the tape with a syringe.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

What a great idea...the biggest chore is sanding & forming. I use PC-7 or caulking.

Edit...whoops...glad I use mostly caulking. :ito:

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Is there not some type of body filler that would work for this??

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I use a product called "Metal To Metal" for the first coat on all metal repair work. I never thought about trying it on a wheel to see what it would do.

Like Ellen said though, mixing it up and filling the cracks is the easy part...:)

LockDoc

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Plus v-groove, cleaning it, plus sanding it, cleaning it, sanding it, :thud:cleaning it....

Boring but worth the effort.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Hey everyone,

I'm currently restoring the deluxe wheel for my 66 custom cab. The epoxy I used was this stuff called Quick Steel that can be purchased from almost any hardware or auto parts store. You simply cut off a piece of the epoxy stick role it and fold it between you fingers and apply. As with any crack repair whether be it plastic or steel, the crack needs to be removed completely to stop the crack from traveling. On most of these steering wheels the cracks are deep, so deep that the crack will travel to the steel core of the steering wheel. I used a die grinder with a carbide burr to v out the crack until the crack is no longer visible, even if that meant grinding all the way to the steel core. After that I applied the epoxy forcing it deep into the crack filling it in completely. The toughest part of the restoration was sanding and reshaping the wheel spokes where they meet the steering wheel hub. Here's a pick of my current wheel restoration that had been repaired improperly before and it just re-cracked. I used Dupli-Color Perfect Match part # BTY1610 (Desert Sand Mica @ Autozone) for the color which looks to be spot on with the original color. Still not a bad looking wheel I will find a better looking steering wheel next time before I do any repairs.

Here's a tip: FYI when applying the epoxy shape it as close to the original contour of the steering wheel before it sets up. Bad part is most of these epoxy products set up in 3-4 minutes. The closer you are to the original contour the easier it will be during the sanding and reshaping.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

That came out very nice!

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

it looks very good!

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Done for now. I will eventually sand it with 400 and add a final coat of paint

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Considering the diameter of modern wheels is so much larger and the hardness of early wheels, it feels funny driving my old vehicles.

I put a wheelskins leather cover on the Camaro wheel and it feels a lot better. Maybe fix the cracks and get a leather cover? The one I have had to be stitched on with waxed string and looks pretty darn good...

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

This looks like a good thread to revive to ask does anybody have any old experiences to share with crack repair that has now stood the test of time, if you know what specific product you used. I am not interested in bothering with my steering wheel if all it's going to do is re-crack in the same crack-repaired areas.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Looking at a jacked up original 69 steering wheel and was wondering this exact thing yesterday! Hoping to also see some feedback on old repairs...thanks!

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

They have 2 part epoxy's designed for fixing plastic bumpers on cars/trucks. I'm my body shop experience, that would be what I would try. As the one other gentleman said, you'll have to grind back the cracked area to the base of the crack and fill from bottom to top. Nice part is, this stuff is designed for flexibility, and sandability.. so pretty durable and ease of working.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

OK, perhaps nobody in the history of this forum has permanently repaired their steering wheel yet, or if they have they can't give up the info on exactly what was used. There's a whole bunch of might be able to use this or might be able to use that, and a whole bunch of I used this and I used that. But then rare is the report back on the failure after time, and no reports that I found of success over time along with the product name and part number. So perhaps some of the 2 part plastic fix would be a good thing to try. We can't know whether it actually works. Whatever it is that I try, I'm going to make notes about the product name and part number. I'll try to report back here in this thread in a couple of years.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

You might try posting this over in the truck section. It might get more attention? I have read several places around here, that the Truck forums are waaay busier than the Burb ones.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Interesting exchange of efforts taken, thanks for the input. For sure not everyone can afford a $400 no crack wheel as some are being priced at nowadays. I think I'll get a black cracked wheel for my 72 and do some experimenting. Up here in Alberta, Canada we get some dramatically cold weather so a great test area indeed.
Cheers everyone,
Matthew

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Have spent many moons in Edmonton and a few eateries in Sherwood Park... Cold is DAM right!
I am in the process of rehabilitating a pretty cracked up original I bought off a guy in the parts forum here. Using POR 15 two part epoxy putty. All the cracks and gaps have been Dremeled out, cleaned out and filled with the putty. Letting it cure for a day or two then I'll start sanding.
Will try to post pictures when I have a little more to show of the process -

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Well nice to meet you on the forum here! Nice sunny day in Sherwood Park today but as is normal the weather changed this week :)
The wheel I might get would be quite the restoration project, is yours in better, worse or similar shape?

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I think ours are really similar on the wear part, but I think the one I bought is worse off on the tear part! Big cracks everywhere and huge gaps at the North and South ends and medium gaps at East and West! One that ran in the grove from 8:30 all the way to 12 O'clock high!
I was able to spend a few hours over a few evenings digging out all of the cracks then filling with POR 15 two part epoxy putty... I've heard mix reviews on this stuff, but had some so I thought I'd give it a try. It dried rock hard, but sands out pretty well. I have 2 coats of filler / primer and have not sanded this yet, but hope to one night this week.
Here are some photos of my progress from the beginning to the filler primer. It might take a few posts to get all the photos on since it will only let me upload 5 at a time:
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Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Thought I had a pic of it in primer, but couldn't fine it. The last picture is the same old faded horn button that I cleaned up and repainted saddle. Used a blue pen to touch up the bow-tie. Turned out pretty good!
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Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

That palm mouse sander with 120g was amazing for this job. The pointed end really made short work out of what could have been a PITA sanding by hand! I also used a round penfile to get the grove at 1:00 (below) and from 8:30 all the way to 12:00 back. I did cut out this area with the arrow and refill with putty as well.
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Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I have repaired about 11 steering wheels (for steering wheel tables) and use fix steel epoxy preform pf706. I bought it at an auto body supply. IT is a two part putty u knead together. IT hardens like rock and I have had no cracks ( 4 years running)

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

That is good news to hear it is a lasting repair. What is a steering wheel table?

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

hubcap base, table leg, then steering wheel table

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Something I see on Wannabe's photos that has a direct effect on how well the repairs last or don't last is the tapering or lack of tapering of the plastic...Hate to say it Wannabe, but what you have done looks like the "won't last" in my opinion from many years of autobody repair.

Instead of digging a straight 90* ditch & filling it up with the epoxy, you want rolled, tapered edges so the glue has a horizontal ramp to stick to. Each crack should have around a 1/2" long taper on each side of the crack (which means some will run into the next one) starting at the metal rod & the very top should be rounded as well.
If you think about...it simply makes sense. The re-cracking happens right along the edge of the original wheel & epoxy...not in the middle of the epoxy. You have a plastic ring with a 1/4" to 1/2" thick item that is "butt" glued together only relying on the vertical surface from the metal ring upward. With "proper" tapering, you will have a wedge-like "plug" on each side of the metal ring with a long, horizontal surface supporting the sections. It is like most things...it will take more time, more material, but the outcome will be better.

Fusor 100 is my plastic epoxy of choice. My Two Cents, Lorne

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Great feedback, Lorne... You're probably right and will have to circle back around on this one. It's not perfect, but turned out pretty good for being my first rodeo! I also remember seeing in a video someone keying the epoxy into the sides of the gap or crack with extra Dremel cuts like in these pictures. Hoping this will help with not having your V.
In the first picture of the completed and painted wheel...only the horn cap has a coat of clear on it. The wheel and horn button are the same saddle color now with clear on everything.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

I'm in the process of restoring a wheel and I used 3M 08116 body panel adhesive. It's a two part system that normally glues sheet metal together (rockers on my truck haven't fallen of yet:lol:) so I figured it ought to be good product to try for this. I guess time will tell. Also where the grain is worn on the outer wheel I'm going to blend in some chip guard for texture.

Re: Best Product for Cracked Steering Wheel Repair
 

Curt, Again, not with intent to be-little your efforts...I'd like to offer a couple of thoughts. First, just because the panel bond product is strong enough to hold your rockers on...doesn't make it the ideal product for a steering wheel repair. NOT saying it can't or won't work, just that you have to think it through. Maybe do a small part, paint it & let it sit in the sun a little while?
Chemicals can behave very differently when placed around, under & over others. The metal bond sticks well to metal...maybe not so much to plastic? Like fiberglass resin, it sticks rather well to metal, VERY well to wood, cardboard, ect., but will shuck right off of most plastics even though it appers to be "plastic like" make-up.
Same with a product that is used to glue the fiberglass Corvettes to the metal structures...it's a very good GLUE! If you try to use it as a filler of a crack in fiberglass, it will ring & raise a slight bump once painted. It is NOT a good adhesive/filler to repair a broken area in fiberglass.

The other thing I see that as I mentioned in a few posts above...the cracks need to be tapered much more if one expects the repair "to live". I realize the thought process is: "I have this little crack here & I don't want to make a bigger mess & then have to fix that" which is very typical of anything you do especially if it's not something you are rather familiar with, BUT that is what you need to do! Just like smoothing the seams in drywall...if you swiped just the gap between the Two panels, it will look poor & crack almost as soon as you are done painting.

Each crack in a wheel that is about a 1/4" thick to the core needs about 3/8-1/2" wide taper on each side of the crack upward to the edge of the original wheel. Viewed from the side, a cut-through image would look like an hour glass shape of repair material. The repair product should look near feathered into/onto the parent plastic.

I have a simple rule with nearly any repair...bodyfiller to metal, plastic repair to plastic, ect. "If I hand you a pencil could you draw along the edge of the transition?" If so, it's a poor repair. A proper edge should be ghost-like with very fine scratches...not a straight, defined line.

Since the photobucket non-sense, I've not found another means of posting photos. I have a bunch of repair examples that may help if I take the time to figure the best alternative. I'm doing a steering wheel for a friend's Studebaker at this time & have several photos. What is everyone using now? Lorne