has anyone had problems with the leather coming loose around the speed control buttons and wearing off (discoloring) on the top of the wheel. the used 98 eb i just purchased has both of these problems at 39000 miles. of course the dealers say they NEVER had any problems with this. these wheels cost over $300. will the cobra wheels work? e-mail me at tigacff22.(No Email Addresses In Posts!) or post a reply here.
thanks
del bardell

 

DB. I have a 2000 EB Expi. I don't have anything comming loose or wearing off but I do have discoloration. I would say about two months after we took delivery of the vehicle. The interior is a tan or light neutral color. Parts of the steering wheel look dirty and do somewhat come clean, but I don't clean it regularly for fear of the material breaking down. I also noticed it in several other Expi's when we were shopping for the one that we have.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

 

i have had similar problems with the steering wheels leather chipping away.. my 2001 expy is 3 months old and the bottom of the steering wheel is starting to chip, also my friends 98 mustang has had his steering wheel replaced 3 times because of similar problems with it

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 28-Mar-01 AT 12:39 PM (EST)[/font][p]I had a 97 contour that the steering wheel seemed dirty all the time after a couple of cleanings it seemed the leather just started to fall off/aprart even more every time i cleaned it. so when i got my 97 EB Expi the first time i noticed getting dirty i cleaned once and went and bought a good steering wheel cover. i know this doesn't solve the problem but it makes it look alot nicer than the original that is falling apart.

 

The top of my wheel gets discolored every once in a while because that's the part that's touched the most, but with some leather cleaner it takes most of it off. Just don't let it get too dirty.

Pete
flight135(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

 

mine has bad leather on both steering wheel and drivers seat. and my dealer saidthere is a problem with them. they have ordered a new wheel for us and replaced the front seat leather surface

 

 

is this covered out of warranty? >50,000 miles?

my wheel is peeling too

 

Ford has had such problems for years. When I purchased my new EB Explorer in 1996, within a year, the leather wheel started getting excessively dirty and peeling. I questioned the dealer and he said it was a known problem. They replaced it free, under warranty, at a factory charge of almost $300.

My EB Exped is doing the same thing, but I also purch it used and it is not in warranty, so I never even raised the issue. Figured it was a waste of time. If you learn otherwise, pls advise.

 

Have the steering wheel replaced with that of a XLT model, without the leather. I have the feeling that when I purchase my 1998 XP, I'll need to have that done.

Tony

 

Be certain that you avoid using ArmorAll or similar products on the steering wheel, as it will damage the spray paint used to color the leather.

 

I never heard about painted leather. Is it ok to use a quality leather cleaner and conditioner?

 

That is a constant problem with their products. I have a 99 Eddie Bauer Expedition and the wheel looks like I work in the field for a living. If you paid over thirty five thousand for your truck as I did, this should **** you off.

 

Has anyone tried taking the leather wrapping off of the steering wheel? I did it on a Honda a few years ago. The wheel was a lil thinner but it looked a hell of a lot better than the worn out leather.

 

Eureka! I found other's with the same problem. I've been irritated about this for years. My Expedition is a 1998 EB with Tan interior.

Mine was only slightly discolored with about 50k miles on it, and I took it to the dealer for service and they were kind enough to leave oily had prints all over it. Upon showing this to the Manager, they took it to the detail area, and they used a solvent based cleaner to remove the oil and ended up REMOVING the finish in 4 areas!!! Raw leather there now!

The dealer would not stand behind the problem, even though the GM acknowledged they shouldn't have used the cleaner. I got blown off , and didn't push it any further. DO NOT go to the Ford dealership in Gilroy, California. :-X23 Customer service there sucks! :+

Anyway - since many of us have this problem - how do you fix it without replacing the entire steering wheel?

I've been reading up on leather dyes, which apparently require you to sand the surface, then re-dye with the chemicals. The kit I found is about 100 bucks, which is cheaper than a new steering wheel, but I don't know if it looks factory new and I'm hesitant to try without hearing that somebody has done this with success.

Has anybody successfully refinished their steering wheel? Is Ford standing behind this problem?