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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,249
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Steering wheels and climate
Just a few observations....
Wheel in pic 1 is off my truck. DRY Climate: It has a few hairline cracks, and there's separation in three places (top and below each side of handle). The separation is where the "joints" are located. Interesting how the made these. The wheel "case" looks like 5 pieces counting center. Since 1989 anyway, this wheel has spent 99% of it's life parked in the garage (140K). Wheel in pic 2 is from Ohio. HUMID Climate: No cracks or separation. The grain is better but the wheel duller than the other, especially along the perimeter. That has me stumped. Perhaps more exposure to the sun, but I'm guessing humidity or even using the wrong item to clean it. Apparently this wheel has been in storage for 20-30 years. It's new to me and I like it a lot. The sheen can be replenished. I hear you can even sand to perfect. Hopefully it doesn't go into climate shock and begin cracking. Nothing like having to choose the better of two cracks ha!. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Durango, CO
Posts: 827
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
I've had my truck here in our dry climate for nine months now, and the steering wheel is definitely developing new cracks. The PO had a factory wheel on it for some time in more-humid Maryland, and it had one bigger crack. Since arriving in Colorado the climate appears to have enlarged that crack and started a good 4-5 more, and this truck lives in a garage when not driving around. A little bummed, but what can you do?
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1972 K10 Cheyenne Super | LWB, fleetside | 350/350/205 | KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne | SWB, fleetside | LS Swap 5.3/4L60 | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 400/4-spd | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 455/4-spd | TOTALED ![]() |
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#3 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,249
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
Quote:
__________________
Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#4 |
Carpe manana
![]() ![]() Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Posts: 12,392
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
Good topic here that has been on my mind too. Have several steer wheels in dry NM that i keep out of the sun including a NOS saddle wheel i installed in my green blazer. Ive not noticed any developing cracks. I suspect big swings in temp (like we see in the SW) are a prime cause for cracks. When i park in the sun i put up a reflective shade to help protect the interior from UV exposure and heat.
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1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
When I hear "steering wheel and climate" all I can remember is accidentally banging the back of my knuckles on that hard plastic steering wheel in -40F weather... there's a certain jolt of pain at those temperatures that you just never experience in normal climates!
I always assumed that the cracks were a result of the plastic shrinking as it outgasses over the years. Thus I assumed heat and sun would advance it, not humidity. Are you sure it's not as simple as the Nevada one got a lot more sun so it dried out more and has more cracks? Not that my guess is any better!
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#6 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,249
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
Quote:
I'd think sun exposure MIGHT dull it more, but I can't really say. I HOPE you're correct. Maybe I don't hear my steering wheel cracking. Come to think of it, the wheel does see some sunlight from the garage window. Interesting. Maybe I need to cover the wheel with the dash board.
__________________
Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
Quote:
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Durango, CO
Posts: 827
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
x2 on the sunshade. I like my OG dash pad and seat cover.
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1972 K10 Cheyenne Super | LWB, fleetside | 350/350/205 | KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne | SWB, fleetside | LS Swap 5.3/4L60 | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 400/4-spd | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 455/4-spd | TOTALED ![]() |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
My truck's steering wheel has about the same cracks as the wheel in pic 1. It spent its first 20 years sitting outside and being driven in the WV climate.
The cracks seem to have stabilized and the truck has been sitting inside a garage for the last 20 years. I think keeping it out of the sun is key to preventing cracks, the interior of a vehicle heats rapidly and to a great extent in the sun and then cools again at night. Most materials expand when heated and contract when cooled (water is an exception), I think the constant stress of those fluctuations cause the plastic of the wheels to crack. I'd like to have a series of white panels I could place on the inside of the windows when a vehicle is parked in the sun. That would reflect most light and keep the interior cool. |
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#10 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,249
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
Quote:
__________________
Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#11 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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A alternative to the wheel if your not a purist.
I had both hands operated on several years ago for carpal tunnel. My doctor then said to keep my grip as loose as I could to keep from having problems later on in life. So with that in mind I did a leather wrap on my 66 SS steering wheel to make it more comfortable for me on long trips. It's a direct bolt in also. Yea I need to take it back a part and straighten the leather out better. Just haven't taken the time to do it. ![]()
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#12 |
All about them K’s
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,395
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
The original olive wheel on my K/20 appears to be factory to my truck and its full of major cracks. The truck came from Utah. I've got a very nice or black wheel that im going to put in it with a tilt column. The black wheel has only one small crack. It came from Washington state about a year and a half ago. It's been inside my house in a box and has not developed any new cracks. I always figured it was the UV that did them in.
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's Last edited by 57taskforce; 09-11-2016 at 05:08 PM. |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,249
|
Re: Steering wheels and climate
Your seats might be more comfortable as well. Nice looking interior.
__________________
Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#14 | |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Turlock, CA
Posts: 8,675
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Re: Steering wheels and climate
interesting, i never pieced that together, but i've had a couple 69-72 trucks that sat in VERY dry climates for decades, found to have very little rust overall, but significant steering wheel cracks. the one under a tree for most of those years had very good color, just wide cracks, the wheel that was in full sun was practically pulvarized.
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Please help my sister in law with her battle with cancer https://gofund.me/902f6fce Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) SOLD Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh) SOLD |
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