Steering wheel leather repair

[Pamex]

Pretty sure I have one in the garage with airbag deployed. good condition. I'll check tomorrow

[aSimpleLife]

I know it's an old thread, but I'm going to try one of these leather covers from ebay in the UK for AU$40 inc basic freight
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FITS-MAZDA-MX5-1990-2005-REAL-BLACK-ITALIAN-LEATHER-STEERING-WHEEL-COVER-NEW-/250778193674

I think I have damaged mine with the club lock - didn't notice I was doing it earlier enough - so I just want something to reduce further damage for now.
Fortunately I've got fairly long fingers

[Steampunk]

Looks crap, you'd wish you ate your $40 instead.

[aSimpleLife]

Well...it'll protect what's left of the original until I can afford to do the right thing.
And if I stop using the club lock then I know what'll happen next...like the one time I left it in a car park for 30 minutes
I guess I better not show you my seat covers then...

The only post I managed to find on this forum was to engage a motor trimmer to do the work - which is just too much cash for me atm.
It's a low km original...so I don't really want to put anything after market on.
Have I missed a better low cost option somewhere?
I never was much good using this search function.

[Mr Morlock]

This style of steering wheel cover was very popular in the 60s and 70s because many wheels were much thinner than today and virtually all wheels were hard plastic. It looks like an excellent solution to me- inexpensive and it should feel good to the hand. Incidentally modern wheels often just mimic the look of a stitched on cover.

[aSimpleLife]

I thought for a minute there my post was being modded
I feel a bit like I'm getting the good cop bad cop treatment from the heavyweights

Thanks for the feedback.
60's and 70's probably explains why I was attracted to it
I'm giving it a shot as a short term fix because if I leave the wheel for much longer it may get beyond repair.

Being not very technical, and rarely betting my nb out of the garage, I don't have a lot to contribute to forums, even though I use them extensively. So as trivial as what I have to say might be, I try to add it to the body of knowledge just in case it's of value to someone else at some time in the future.

[93_Clubman]

Have I missed a better low cost option somewhere?

Just get another low km good condition NB8A steering wheel - should be plenty out there & cheaper than trying to get the old one reconditioned.

[speed]

^ what 93 clubman said.

Surprised people still use club locks.

[aSimpleLife]

Well, my reasoning is this.
I already had one.
And I have had 2 cars stolen and a number broken into.
The last one that was stolen actually had this club lock on - a VN SS - but they brought their own steering wheel - but when I eventually got what was left of it back - in the back seat was my steering wheel with the club lock still on it - so I figured it had been theft proofed
As you say, no one uses them anymore, which I think makes them even more of a deterrent, as there is less likelihood a thief would carry a spare steering wheel now.
It seems like a good visual deterrent to me, especially in a soft top vehicle that is so easy to smash and grab.
And for the last 25 years I have been using it (not just this car) I haven't had another vehicle stolen or broken into - which could mean nothing, I know.
Also I only have 3rd party insurance - so anything I can do to reduce the risk of theft I should.
I will admit it's a pain to carry around in the car (especially in an MX5) and put on and take off.

[93_Clubman]

Still use a better variant of the Club Lock here - once had a work car stolen which had the old style Club Lock fitted - went out to the car to find it gone, but the Club Lock laying intact/unbroken on the nature strip. On some cars they didn't need to remove the steering wheel or manipulate the lock.

[bruce]

Steering wheels can be bendy, so crims can force the steering wheel locks off.

[KevGoat]

Recall seeing a current affairs show (can't recall which one) a few years ago where they went through various security devices. The Club Lock was recommended for it's visual deterrence, however on various vehicles the steering wheel was able to be bent with force enough to get it off!!

On my Dad's car they cut one side of the steering wheel and took the lock off. That car had the lock, alarm/immobiliser, a battery cut switch ... they still got into it and took it from a busy area!

Back on topic ... what's been said before, just keep an eye out for a replacement steering wheel. I've bought several over the years, including an SE steering wheel, and all been near perfect and cheaper than I'd been quoted to restore mine.

Could alway pm Boyracer, he often has them

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[93_Clubman]

Yeah, Ford factory steering wheel at the time was bendy enough to remove the Club Lock.

[hks_kansei]

Most wheels are designed to be able to be bent as a way of absorbing force in an accident rather than crushing your ribs/face.

Since airbags they've got stiffer again (should feel the wheel in an old Kingswood, basically jelly), but still have enough give to be bent.

[speed]

Not the Kingswood!