Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bobs409 · 10-23-2012, 10:09 AM

I was just looking thru an Eastwood catalog and saw the plastic welder they have. Anyone ever try something like this to fix cracks in a steering wheel?

I tried PC-7 and as soon as the weather changed, I got a hairline crack at each repair!

So who's gonna put out $229 to give this a try?

**LockDoc** · 10-23-2012, 11:52 AM

-
I think they have one of those over at the salvage yard where I hang out. I'm sure they would let me try it. Lord knows I have plenty of cracked wheels for testing...

LockDoc

bonnieclyde100 · 10-23-2012, 11:55 AM

i would probably fix the wheel with epoxy

Andy4639 · 10-23-2012, 02:23 PM

I have a 67 SS wheel I'm working on right now. I sanded it down yesterday. I have the 2 part epoxy but was thinking maybe bondo also for the cracks are very small.

68gmsee · 10-23-2012, 07:03 PM

Heat and sun are the steering wheel's enemy. A good way to protect it after you fix the cracks is to cover it. Keep a white towel in the truck and throw over it when parked in the sun. The towel can serve as dust wipe, window dew remover or for accidental spills.

You can also cover the steering wheel with a wrap like I did mine (pic ) and use a windshield sunshade when you are leaving it parked for any length of time.

Mine has a few small cracks that were there when I got it 15 years ago. They haven't gotten any worse but I have been thinking of using the Eastwood restoration kit on it.

Andy4639 · 10-23-2012, 07:43 PM

I filed the cracks today before work. Plan to do the body fill in the morning. Get some sleep and sand it the next day.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 11-08-2012, 09:36 PM

My blue wheel appears to be black underneath. I don't think the colored wheels are made of colored material. Don't know for sure though.

**special-K** · 11-09-2012, 08:41 AM

Bob,I never read this thread till now and what you did is exactly what I was going to suggest. This is great info.
The sink in the camper on my old '71 Custom Camper was manual and it stopped pumping. I bought a replacement and it still wouldn't pump. I went deeper into it and removed the tank. I found that the fill neck had been repaired previously...with old milk jug and epoxy or whatever. I was in SC and knew of an RV repair place around the corner from my in-laws. The guy said,back then,the type of plastic used was paraffin-based and there's not an adhesive made that will stick to it. He cut about 1/4" off the neck and used that with a solder gun to "weld" it. I was amazed! I learned something that day with plastics. You use the same material and you can weld it. No question about compatibility. It's so plain and simple.

70STOVEBOLT,your steering wheel must be a reproduction. It's a 69-72 style,right? Those are all molded in color from factory. Reproductions are black and dyed/painted. I had a blue one for about 4 years in a truck I hardly ever drove. On a 15 degree morning I looked in it and saw a 3/16" gap at TDC and couldn't believe my eyes. The rod stock used for the rim is 1/2 the gauge of OEM. What did they save,$1 per wheel??? Later I noticed that wasn't dirt on the high spots of the grain texture,it was the color beneath the paint

Andy4639 · 11-09-2012, 09:02 AM

Well after reading this if mine starts to come apart again I will do this type of repair. I had thought about the same thing just never followed through with it.

Just thinking out loud on your repair here.

Take some very thin sheet metal and form it to the wheel and wrap it around it with the top side open and pour the hot plastic into it and it should form to the wheel with out driping. What do you think?

bobs409 · 11-09-2012, 09:25 AM

Andy, this plastic material when you heat it is more like sticky/stringy taffy so you won't be able to pour it at least not using the soldering gun method. I had to sort of push or press it into the gap as it melted. I also did my best to melt it into the surrounding material.

I'm just hoping the repair will hold up. If so, that will make this the ultimate fix. I know PC-7 sure doesn't hold up, it cracked at every joint I repaired.

Were going into winter here in PA so once I repair a few cracks, I will install this in my daily driver and see what happens. I'll be especially watching as winter turns to spring and then to summer.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 11-09-2012, 09:38 AM

70STOVEBOLT,your steering wheel must be a reproduction. It's a 69-72 style,right? Those are all molded in color from factory. Reproductions are black and dyed/painted. I had a blue one for about 4 years in a truck I hardly ever drove. On a 15 degree morning I looked in it and saw a 3/16" gap at TDC and couldn't believe my eyes. The rod stock used for the rim is 1/2 the gauge of OEM. What did they save,$1 per wheel??? Later I noticed that wasn't dirt on the high spots of the grain texture,it was the color beneath the paint[/QUOTE]

Mine is from a 67 or 68, I like that style better than the 69-72. I got it in a package deal with everything to switch from 3OTT to TH400 from a guy in NJ about 4 years ago. It could be a repro, but it looks pretty old. I've seen a few threads on here about repairing and then painting the wheel but I don't know how well paint would hold up.

bobs409 · 11-09-2012, 11:37 AM

Stovebolt: your wheel is made of a different material. Not sure if this method would work on that type.

Those were all a black or dark color base and painted so what you have is normal for what it is.

I've heard that style does much better with the epoxy type repairs but have no experience with it.

bollybib · 11-09-2012, 12:12 PM

Clever fix, Bob. It will be interesting to see how well the repair holds up in your environmental conditions.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 11-09-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobs409

Stovebolt: your wheel is made of a different material. Not sure if this method would work on that type.

Those were all a black or dark color base and painted so what you have is normal for what it is.

I've heard that style does much better with the epoxy type repairs but have no experience with it.

Good to know. I wonder if it's a special paint? Just seems like it would see a lot of wear...

KEL · 11-09-2012, 01:53 PM

How badly did this stink while you were melting it ?

bobs409 · 11-09-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Good to know. I wonder if it's a special paint? Just seems like it would see a lot of wear...

I always heard it was lacquer (if that's spelled right)

The paint did tend to wear off them. All the ones I see in the junkyards have the paint worn down to the black color base material.

Not a big problem however, just respray every so often.

Kel, it does smoke some so I wouldn't do this at the kitchen table.

Did mine in my garage and kept my face out of the fumes. I guess I should mention not to breathe the smoke in. LOL

10-23-2012, 10:09 AM	#1
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? I was just looking thru an Eastwood catalog and saw the plastic welder they have. Anyone ever try something like this to fix cracks in a steering wheel? I tried PC-7 and as soon as the weather changed, I got a hairline crack at each repair! So who's gonna put out $229 to give this a try? __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

10-23-2012, 11:52 AM	#2
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,416	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? - I think they have one of those over at the salvage yard where I hang out. I'm sure they would let me try it. Lord knows I have plenty of cracked wheels for testing... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

10-23-2012, 11:55 AM	#3
bonnieclyde100 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Henderson,TX Posts: 336	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? i would probably fix the wheel with epoxy

10-23-2012, 02:23 PM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? I have a 67 SS wheel I'm working on right now. I sanded it down yesterday. I have the 2 part epoxy but was thinking maybe bondo also for the cracks are very small. __________________ 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.

10-23-2012, 07:03 PM	#5
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? Heat and sun are the steering wheel's enemy. A good way to protect it after you fix the cracks is to cover it. Keep a white towel in the truck and throw over it when parked in the sun. The towel can serve as dust wipe, window dew remover or for accidental spills. You can also cover the steering wheel with a wrap like I did mine (pic ) and use a windshield sunshade when you are leaving it parked for any length of time. Mine has a few small cracks that were there when I got it 15 years ago. They haven't gotten any worse but I have been thinking of using the Eastwood restoration kit on it. Attached Images __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...

10-23-2012, 07:43 PM	#6
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? I filed the cracks today before work. Plan to do the body fill in the morning. Get some sleep and sand it the next day. __________________ 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.

11-08-2012, 09:36 PM	#7
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,264	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? My blue wheel appears to be black underneath. I don't think the colored wheels are made of colored material. Don't know for sure though. __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear

11-09-2012, 08:41 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,861	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? Bob,I never read this thread till now and what you did is exactly what I was going to suggest. This is great info. The sink in the camper on my old '71 Custom Camper was manual and it stopped pumping. I bought a replacement and it still wouldn't pump. I went deeper into it and removed the tank. I found that the fill neck had been repaired previously...with old milk jug and epoxy or whatever. I was in SC and knew of an RV repair place around the corner from my in-laws. The guy said,back then,the type of plastic used was paraffin-based and there's not an adhesive made that will stick to it. He cut about 1/4" off the neck and used that with a solder gun to "weld" it. I was amazed! I learned something that day with plastics. You use the same material and you can weld it. No question about compatibility. It's so plain and simple. 70STOVEBOLT,your steering wheel must be a reproduction. It's a 69-72 style,right? Those are all molded in color from factory. Reproductions are black and dyed/painted. I had a blue one for about 4 years in a truck I hardly ever drove. On a 15 degree morning I looked in it and saw a 3/16" gap at TDC and couldn't believe my eyes. The rod stock used for the rim is 1/2 the gauge of OEM. What did they save,$1 per wheel??? Later I noticed that wasn't dirt on the high spots of the grain texture,it was the color beneath the paint __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-09-2012, 09:02 AM	#9
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? Well after reading this if mine starts to come apart again I will do this type of repair. I had thought about the same thing just never followed through with it. Just thinking out loud on your repair here. Take some very thin sheet metal and form it to the wheel and wrap it around it with the top side open and pour the hot plastic into it and it should form to the wheel with out driping. What do you think? __________________ 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.

11-09-2012, 09:25 AM	#10
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? Andy, this plastic material when you heat it is more like sticky/stringy taffy so you won't be able to pour it at least not using the soldering gun method. I had to sort of push or press it into the gap as it melted. I also did my best to melt it into the surrounding material. I'm just hoping the repair will hold up. If so, that will make this the ultimate fix. I know PC-7 sure doesn't hold up, it cracked at every joint I repaired. Were going into winter here in PA so once I repair a few cracks, I will install this in my daily driver and see what happens. I'll be especially watching as winter turns to spring and then to summer. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

11-09-2012, 09:38 AM	#11
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,264	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? 70STOVEBOLT,your steering wheel must be a reproduction. It's a 69-72 style,right? Those are all molded in color from factory. Reproductions are black and dyed/painted. I had a blue one for about 4 years in a truck I hardly ever drove. On a 15 degree morning I looked in it and saw a 3/16" gap at TDC and couldn't believe my eyes. The rod stock used for the rim is 1/2 the gauge of OEM. What did they save,$1 per wheel??? Later I noticed that wasn't dirt on the high spots of the grain texture,it was the color beneath the paint[/QUOTE] Mine is from a 67 or 68, I like that style better than the 69-72. I got it in a package deal with everything to switch from 3OTT to TH400 from a guy in NJ about 4 years ago. It could be a repro, but it looks pretty old. I've seen a few threads on here about repairing and then painting the wheel but I don't know how well paint would hold up. __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear

11-09-2012, 11:37 AM	#12
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? Stovebolt: your wheel is made of a different material. Not sure if this method would work on that type. Those were all a black or dark color base and painted so what you have is normal for what it is. I've heard that style does much better with the epoxy type repairs but have no experience with it. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

11-09-2012, 12:12 PM	#13
bollybib Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 1,584	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? Clever fix, Bob. It will be interesting to see how well the repair holds up in your environmental conditions. __________________ - Jim - My Daily Driver is a 1969 Chevrolet Custom/20 Fleetside 350/TH400/Eaton H052 4.10 and its Project thread is here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456911

11-09-2012, 01:53 PM	#15
KEL 72 GMC Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wells, Maine Posts: 534	Re: Repairing a cracked steering wheel with a plastic welder? How badly did this stink while you were melting it ?



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.