When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
That why I started sending a puller with orders, People do this and bend the wheel.
I didn't think a wheel could bend that easily, thankfully that didn't happen to mine. Or maybe it did but I don't know or care because I was removing it to install a navigator wheel with audio/climate l controls. I don't even know if I still have the old one.
How do I get on the list for your professional leather replacement job?
I didn't think a wheel could bend that easily, thankfully that didn't happen to mine. Or maybe it did but I don't know or care because I was removing it to install a navigator wheel with audio/climate l controls. I don't even know if I still have the old one.
How do I get on the list for your professional leather replacement job?
I think some guys get over ambitious with the if a little is good then yank harder is better method or maybe they used a hammer or 2x4, hell I don't know. Lol but they bend. either way a puller is the advisable method. And yes, it's kinda strange how many wheels are bent. They are designed to bend in an accident.
Fwiw, same with the seat backs and even a fairly minor fender bender can do them in, so who know.
I tried finding a tan Lincoln one with the right controls for my 04 limited (stereo HVAC and cruise) and the only ones I saw were rattier than mine.
As for bending one, the wheels are designed to deform easily to protect you in a crash. I've done the leave the nut on a few turns trick, but the key isn't brute force, it's just giving the wheel a quick jerk which breaks it free of the splines without damaging it. If you have an assistant who can tap it with their fists or very gently with a small dead blow hammer while you apply gentle pressure that works as well.
I searched high and low and even ordered a few but couldn't bring myself to install another thin "automotive grade leather " cover after having worn out the last 2 so quickly.
I ended up making my own from 4 oz top grain, dyed it myself and then stitched it up. I think it turned out pretty cool but I am already working on a slightly better version.
Did you ever complete your 'slightly better' version? I'm looking at recovering my steering wheel and you are the first person that I have found that has actually replaced the factory covering instead of just covering it over. I'm guessing you probably did not scan the templates you made of the original leather pieces? I'd love to be able to have the new cover ready to go instead of having to 'disassemble' the original. I'll have to check a couple of the local junk yards and see if I can pick up an old steering wheel for cheap that I can use for the templates. Do you happen to remember approximately how big the pieces of leather needed to be?
. I'll have to check a couple of the local junk yards and see if I can pick up an old steering wheel for cheap that I can use for the templates. Do you happen to remember approximately how big the pieces of leather needed to be?
I have two steering wheels one from a 02 F250 the other from an 02 Excursion. They have the limited buttons for cruise control only. If interested they will be free, you would only need to cover the cost for shipping. CA to PA.
Did you ever complete your 'slightly better' version?
I just did mine through stitchingcover.com. They did a good job, but it turned out that they are based in China, so the shipping took about a month. I had one issue: they expected me to put the cover on over the old shredded cover, but I removed the old leather before installing the new one, so the replacement is a bit loose. I'm working with them on that issue now.
Actual installation was pretty easy. They send the new cover with stitches running along both edges. You only have to put it in place, then zig-zag underneath the existing stitching and pull it tight.
I just did mine through stitchingcover.com. They did a good job, but it turned out that they are based in China, so the shipping took about a month. I had one issue: they expected me to put the cover on over the old shredded cover, but I removed the old leather before installing the new one, so the replacement is a bit loose. I'm working with them on that issue now.
Actual installation was pretty easy. They send the new cover with stitches running along both edges. You only have to put it in place, then zig-zag underneath the existing stitching and pull it tight.
What color did you go with and how closely did it match the original? When you removed your original cover, did the padding come off with it?
I did the "Genuine Leather: Grey" to match my interior, and the color match is just about perfect. You can tell it isn't the OEM cover because it is not genuine leather, but the color looks the same as the original. The material is obviously synthetic, but it feels nice in the hands and doesn't react at all to humid/rainy days here in FL, which is a problem I had with the old leather. The bulging at the edges and the wrinkling at the bottom of the wheel is because of the oversize issue. They're sending me a new one.
When I removed the old leather, the padding came off with a good bit of effort on my part. Over the last 25 years, it had turned into black gooey. I was somewhat prepared for this because on hot days, I could feel it squish around under the leather. I had to put down a drop cloth and wear gloves while I scraped it off the wheel because the gunk stuck to everything and stained instantly
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
