Repairing Steering Wheel Cracks

[tjohnson]

My 72' 280se has the newer style steering wheel, which I will be replacing with the resin type wheel used before Mercedes made the switch. The one I have has a couple of cracks and I am pondering on the fix. Anyone here made this fix? Looks like a good place to start would be to black pigment 24 hour epoxy, dam up the area to be filled, pour it up-cure it and work it back down followed by a good buff to shine and blend. Any ideas...or been there done that

[Tomguy]

That's what I'd do... but I would also like to hear a "BTDT" post! This would make an excellent DIY for any vintage MB restorer.

[thorsen]

Have you considered the wheel restoration kit that Eastwood sells? I haven't used it but if I was in your position I would take a look at it.

http://www.eastwood.com/master-steering-wheel-repair-kit-w-instruc.html

[Mike D]

The POR15 guys also recommend their water based putty, with a "how to". I've never done it.

[twinockchef]

The last issue of Pagoda World had an excellent article on the repair the steering wheel. If your are a full member of Pagoda SL Group you can access it through their website.
Also on the TV show Gearz, speed channel, there was a segment on the repair of old steering wheels. Both procedures were the same. Gearz website also.
Check it out. I like Gearz. It is a good auto repair, upgrade, and restoration show.

[tjohnson]

No, not a Pagoda member.....I too enjoy Gearz and Tuesday nights enjoy seeing what Ed is working on with "Wheelers Dealers". Took a look at Eastwood's repair kit Mike mentioned (as Mike has ALWAYS given me great advice here), trouble is parting with $50....cheap ol fart I am. It comes with epoxy & instructions(and other secret stuff?) Plenty of epoxy in the shop, pretty good bit of secret stuff (lost tools,materials I've forgotten what I bought it for, 10 year old girlie mags). With alittle luck We'll piece together some make do instructions!

[twinockchef]

I don't see the need to buy a 'kit'. All you need is epoxy, sand paper, a good primer and paint.
The process is just, a readers digest version:
*clean the wheel of all dirt, grime and grease.
*dig out any holes or cracks, a deep hole seems to be better to give the epoxy more area to adhere to.
* clean again and sand all of the edges within the holes
* apply the epoxy, make sure it is really in there, then let dry
* sand, by hand, down high spots with 220 grit
* prep the wheel for primer
* after priming sand with 400 grit
* paint then apply a finish coat

I had first seen Stacy David on Gearz restore a steering wheel, its condition being of the sort which I would have thrown it a away, and made it look perfect.
The Pagoda DIY followed the same process and ended up with the same result.
The most difficult task seems to be the sanding process. I would think it easy to over sand areas and damage the grooves and finger bumps.
There was also an DIY article, in Pagoda World, on restoring the horn pad. I looked at my horn pad, 280sel, and it is different from a 230-250sl. The result was excellent.

Go to http://www.gearztv.com/showdetails.php?episode=6
this is the episode about the steering wheel repair.
Good luck

[stickandrudder]

I'm currently developing a complete restoration process.
I've had moulds made of the four different types of resin wheel and am stripping all of the old resin off, back to the metal frame and then re-casting in all new resin.
The initial results are excellent save for we have some durability issues with the material that we've used.
We're looking for a substitute and once we've found it and are happy with the results then I'll be offering an exchange service.