fixing cracked steering wheels ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**67sss** · 02-18-2011, 12:36 AM

did a search with no luck. Anybody on this board fix em?

vectorit · 02-18-2011, 12:46 AM

I have fixed them using JB weld.

Fill the crack, then smooth off the excess before it sets. The sand to blend to the contour of the wheel, prime it with a "filler primer" then sand again to smooth.

Not only does it fill the cracks and big gaps, it bonds like - well JB weld does.

ak*man · 02-18-2011, 12:52 AM

My first C10 is on the boat to AK now. This is one of the first projects I intend to tackle. I'm going to follow this howto:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=340417

Let us know how you end up doing it & how it turns out.

ETsC10 · 02-18-2011, 12:52 AM

I've dabbled. Not to hard...actually cleaning and sanding are the most tedious part of it.
There's a few tutorials online and maybe in our FAQ (haven't checked).

Livrat's side-kick, Gary, is currently doing a few. Don't remember Gary's board name though (sorry Gary).
If he doesn't see this thread by tomorrow, I'll let him know and he can provide details.

BTW, I used the Eastwood kit. You can refill your PC-7 supply later if the hobby appeals to you.

CORSAIR · 02-18-2011, 12:54 AM

Great that you brought this up I bought a 67 wheel on ebay that i want to restore and run on my 72 K-5 I know what to use for the cracks put I cant remeber the name?? I will pick some up and let you know its better than JB weld and works for ever.

CORSAIR · 02-18-2011, 12:57 AM

Damm while I was typing Ets10 had the name PC-10 you could pull a truck with this stuff. V out the crack and fill with this stuff sand and re profile and you got it

67chevy1series · 02-18-2011, 01:06 AM

i did this but it came out like.... and my dad used the wron stuff so now i am going to get a new wheel.....

**67sss** · 02-18-2011, 01:15 AM

I could probably fix the cracks, but matching the paint on the wheel, thats not easy.

CORSAIR- can you give me a ballpark on what you paid for the 67 steering wheel?

LostMy65 · 02-18-2011, 02:00 AM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233643

69sixpackbee · 02-18-2011, 02:07 AM

Only problem with the fix is that it wont last because the separation will continue. I just threw in the towel and bought a repop.

Good luck,
Bud

**special-K** · 02-18-2011, 07:46 AM

I bought a repro and now it is cracked at high noon almost an 1/8". Boy they use a small rod stock under there. I'd try repairing first.,but only on one with a few cracks. If the material is about shot it will keep deteriorating. Like welding,you need to "v" it out to get a better bond.

bobs409 · 02-18-2011, 08:25 AM

I just did one for my 71 using PC-7. Ground all the grooves down to the metal core, 1/4 inch wide and V shaped them. I even drilled small holes in the sides to help pin it together.

Put it in my truck and 3 days later, a crack at each repair.

Glad I didn't bother painting it yet or I'd really be hot.

I don't think anything is going to hold up on these. I never thought about it before but a steering wheel takes alot of abuse! It goes from freezing cold to scalding hot over and over through the years. Then there's the fact that it's hard plastic over metal, Im sure that doesn't help much.

If someone knows of a tried and true material, I'll give it another try but not until then.

mexgrhd68 · 02-19-2011, 01:09 AM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233643

here u go...goodluck!!

RIP...ESLL

ETsC10 · 02-19-2011, 01:46 AM

I wonder if there's a few things we need to do to avoid failure or internal problems that doom us?

1. Temp & humidity...the original plastic is very soft & porous. The PC-7 might not 'soak in'
enough to get a good bond. Or the original may have so many contaminates that
it actually saturates the whole wheel?

2. Let the repair cure until it is the same moisture content as the parent material. Sounds
silly but if you scrape your nail into the steering wheel; it's very porous. That might have
something to do with it. Kind of the opposite of above?

3. My first try, I got 'fix-the-cracks' crazy and included the expansion joint.
Lucky I put the project on the back burner and can open them up again.

4. I wonder if the hub of the steering wheel looses integrity over the years...maybe
the failures are internal stresses we can't control? It would seem the PC-7 would have to
have some flexibility to 'ride the waves". Would sealing the inside of the horn area help?

Just my thoughts...

**special-K** · 02-19-2011, 08:23 AM

The 67/68 wheels hold up "and" repair better than 69-72 wheels. A lot matters on how deteriorated the 69-72 wheel is. We've all seen the ones that are basically crumbling away in the center bar or cracked all around the rim,ever with sections missing. That material is shot,gone south...kapoot. So,it's a crap shoot on how close to that stage is your material. Another thing is it seems certain colors hold up better than others. In my experience the blue and the sandalwood hold up the worse.
My reproduction wheel was installed in '04. The truck had been driven maybe 5,000 miles max. But,it wasn't the wear that got it. It still looks brand new. We had a cold snap in '08 where it went into the teens one night. I go out and look at my wheel and the rim is split top center. Not just a crack,there is a 5/16" gap and that is how it has stayed. Whoever makes these wheels cheaped-out on the rod stock used in the rim. It is much smaller than what was used on the originals. What a shame. If they would have spent another couple dollars they'd have something worth owning.

spike38 · 02-19-2011, 09:02 AM

Here is a youtube video
I have to do the same thing myself.

YouTube - KBS NuMetal - Epoxy Putty -...

YouTube - KBS Coatings - NuMetal - Epoxy...

Spike38

02-18-2011, 12:36 AM	#1
67sss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mt. Vernon, WA.. Posts: 2,324	fixing cracked steering wheels ? did a search with no luck. Anybody on this board fix em?

02-18-2011, 12:46 AM	#2
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? I have fixed them using JB weld. Fill the crack, then smooth off the excess before it sets. The sand to blend to the contour of the wheel, prime it with a "filler primer" then sand again to smooth. Not only does it fill the cracks and big gaps, it bonds like - well JB weld does. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

02-18-2011, 12:52 AM	#3
ak*man Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 31	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? My first C10 is on the boat to AK now. This is one of the first projects I intend to tackle. I'm going to follow this howto: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=340417 Let us know how you end up doing it & how it turns out.

02-18-2011, 12:52 AM	#4
ETsC10 Hand Crafted C-10 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Burien, WA Posts: 5,180	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? I've dabbled. Not to hard...actually cleaning and sanding are the most tedious part of it. There's a few tutorials online and maybe in our FAQ (haven't checked). Livrat's side-kick, Gary, is currently doing a few. Don't remember Gary's board name though (sorry Gary). If he doesn't see this thread by tomorrow, I'll let him know and he can provide details. BTW, I used the Eastwood kit. You can refill your PC-7 supply later if the hobby appeals to you.

02-18-2011, 12:54 AM	#5
CORSAIR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pahrump, Nevada Posts: 451	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? Great that you brought this up I bought a 67 wheel on ebay that i want to restore and run on my 72 K-5 I know what to use for the cracks put I cant remeber the name?? I will pick some up and let you know its better than JB weld and works for ever. __________________ "The Can't Family Lives Across The Street"

02-18-2011, 12:57 AM	#6
CORSAIR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pahrump, Nevada Posts: 451	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? Damm while I was typing Ets10 had the name PC-10 you could pull a truck with this stuff. V out the crack and fill with this stuff sand and re profile and you got it __________________ "The Can't Family Lives Across The Street"

02-18-2011, 01:06 AM	#7
67chevy1series Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: a t w a t e r cali 95301 Posts: 10,713	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? i did this but it came out like.... and my dad used the wron stuff so now i am going to get a new wheel.....

02-18-2011, 01:15 AM	#8
67sss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mt. Vernon, WA.. Posts: 2,324	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? I could probably fix the cracks, but matching the paint on the wheel, thats not easy. CORSAIR- can you give me a ballpark on what you paid for the 67 steering wheel?

02-18-2011, 02:00 AM	#9
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,527	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233643 __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

02-18-2011, 02:07 AM	#10
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? Only problem with the fix is that it wont last because the separation will continue. I just threw in the towel and bought a repop. Good luck, Bud

02-18-2011, 07:46 AM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? I bought a repro and now it is cracked at high noon almost an 1/8". Boy they use a small rod stock under there. I'd try repairing first.,but only on one with a few cracks. If the material is about shot it will keep deteriorating. Like welding,you need to "v" it out to get a better bond. __________________ "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 ~

02-18-2011, 08:25 AM	#12
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? I just did one for my 71 using PC-7. Ground all the grooves down to the metal core, 1/4 inch wide and V shaped them. I even drilled small holes in the sides to help pin it together. Put it in my truck and 3 days later, a crack at each repair. Glad I didn't bother painting it yet or I'd really be hot. I don't think anything is going to hold up on these. I never thought about it before but a steering wheel takes alot of abuse! It goes from freezing cold to scalding hot over and over through the years. Then there's the fact that it's hard plastic over metal, Im sure that doesn't help much. If someone knows of a tried and true material, I'll give it another try but not until then. __________________ 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

02-19-2011, 01:09 AM	#13
mexgrhd68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Visalia, CA. Posts: 327	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=233643 here u go...goodluck!! RIP...ESLL __________________ 68 c-10 1/2 ton swb fleetside, 79 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 ton swb fleetside, 99 Dodge Durango 4x4(wifes ride),53 and 55 chevy trucks(dads trucks ) 54 caddy 62 series 4 door(younger sons ride, aka 54caddy ) 70 caddy 2 door, 89 chevy silverado stepside(older sons rides ) Last edited by mexgrhd68; 02-19-2011 at 01:12 AM.

02-19-2011, 01:46 AM	#14
ETsC10 Hand Crafted C-10 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Burien, WA Posts: 5,180	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? I wonder if there's a few things we need to do to avoid failure or internal problems that doom us? 1. Temp & humidity...the original plastic is very soft & porous. The PC-7 might not 'soak in' enough to get a good bond. Or the original may have so many contaminates that it actually saturates the whole wheel? 2. Let the repair cure until it is the same moisture content as the parent material. Sounds silly but if you scrape your nail into the steering wheel; it's very porous. That might have something to do with it. Kind of the opposite of above? 3. My first try, I got 'fix-the-cracks' crazy and included the expansion joint. Lucky I put the project on the back burner and can open them up again. 4. I wonder if the hub of the steering wheel looses integrity over the years...maybe the failures are internal stresses we can't control? It would seem the PC-7 would have to have some flexibility to 'ride the waves". Would sealing the inside of the horn area help? Just my thoughts...

02-19-2011, 08:23 AM	#15
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: fixing cracked steering wheels ? The 67/68 wheels hold up "and" repair better than 69-72 wheels. A lot matters on how deteriorated the 69-72 wheel is. We've all seen the ones that are basically crumbling away in the center bar or cracked all around the rim,ever with sections missing. That material is shot,gone south...kapoot. So,it's a crap shoot on how close to that stage is your material. Another thing is it seems certain colors hold up better than others. In my experience the blue and the sandalwood hold up the worse. My reproduction wheel was installed in '04. The truck had been driven maybe 5,000 miles max. But,it wasn't the wear that got it. It still looks brand new. We had a cold snap in '08 where it went into the teens one night. I go out and look at my wheel and the rim is split top center. Not just a crack,there is a 5/16" gap and that is how it has stayed. Whoever makes these wheels cheaped-out on the rod stock used in the rim. It is much smaller than what was used on the originals. What a shame. If they would have spent another couple dollars they'd have something worth owning. __________________ "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 ~ Last edited by special-K; 02-19-2011 at 08:24 AM.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.