[Healeys] Steering wheel restoration

[Rohan Marr]

I don’t reply too often, but this was a fantastic post. Thank you.

Rohan.


*******************************
Rohan (aka Aussie)
’56 Longbridge BN4 “Hellouise"

> On Feb 17, 2016, at 7:30 AM, Randy Hicks <healey100m at me.com> wrote:
> 
> Roger Moment asked me to share this with the group.
> 
> Randy,
>  
> Attached is a note I wrote years ago on steering wheels.  It was published in the Austin-Healey Magazine (publication of the AHCUSA). but I don’t recall just when. Anyhow, you’re welcome to share it with the forum if there’s a way to attach it to a note.
>  
> Finally, John Spaur’s comment about buying new wheels (instead of bothering to restore originals) is fine except that there is no reproduction of the 100 non-adjustable wheel.  It differs from 6-cylinder non-adjustable one in two significant ways:
>  
> 1)  the spokes come together more closely at the rim, with equal and small spacing between each of the four
>  
> 2)  the finger grips are rather smooth bumps spaced quite a ways apart – you can see their shape in the upper left corner of my photo.
>  
> You can share the photo as well.  Please let me know if you are able to share with the forum.
>  
> Roger
> 
> <IMG_7319.JPG>
> 
> <IMG_7320.JPG>
> 
> <IMG_7321.JPG>
> 
> <100 non-adjustable - back.jpg>
> 
> <steering wheel0001.jpg>
> 
> 
>> On Feb 15, 2016, at 5:03 PM, John Spaur <jmsdarch at sbcglobal.net <mailto:jmsdarch at sbcglobal.net>> wrote:
>> 
>> I would not recommend restoring the original plastic steering wheels when
>> excellent reproductions are available.
>> 
>> The reason the plastic has cracked is because water has penetrated the wheel
>> and it has started to oxidize the metal reinforcement which has expanded and
>> cracked the wheel. That process may of slowed down, but it will never stop.
>> 
>> I stored an original wheel in my garage for several years intending to
>> restore it. It appeared to be in the same reasonable shape when I went to
>> inspect it in preparation for restoration. When I pull at parts of it that
>> looked to be in good shape, it  just crumbled in my hands.
>> 
>> John Spaur
>> '62 BT7
>> 
> 

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