Beemon Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 To make a long story short, my mother bent the steering wheel back in the 60s playing with her brother in the car. My horn ring is OK and the horn on my car works, but it's on all the time because the steering wheel metal arm is bent forward as is contacting the horn ring all the time. My steering wheel is also in pretty bad shape. The horn ring itself sits perfectly centered on the shaft and there is an even gap around the back of it between the base and the steering column. It lines up perfectly with the spokes at 60* and 300*, but at 180* (pointing straight down) the plastic on the steering wheel is farther forward than the horn ring (where its making contact). I'd like to bring it back to specs, does anyone know anyone who rebuilds and reconditions these? I took a look on Ebay and the going price is $200... at that price range, I would rather have mine reconditioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 I haven't had it done yet, but have done some looking. It will cost far more than $200 to have it recast. If you can straighten it yourself, and the cracks are not TOO numerous, you can make it look pretty good with about $50 in materials and some hours of your own time, using an epoxy putty to fill the cracks, (like por-15), sanding, and painting. I've heard epoxy paints work well for this but haven't tried it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 Lancemb, there is a crack probably every quarter inch, it is very extensive. I was doing research last night and it looks like I'm better off buying a miss matched core for $200 and cleaning/painting it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Beemon said: I'm better off buying a miss matched core for $200 and cleaning/painting it. If you wait and watch a matching one will probably come up. I am sure there are other things you can work on in the meantime. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 I have seen THIS used. I have a 'straight" wheel with no plastic (core to send off?). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, old-tank said: I have seen THIS used. I have a 'straight" wheel with no plastic (core to send off?). Are there outfits that recast the plastic part of the steering wheel? 9 hours ago, Spinneyhill said: If you wait and watch a matching one will probably come up. I am sure there are other things you can work on in the meantime. This is the best photo of the wheel I have. It's in pretty bad shape. Not much else to really work on at this point, just unnecessary personal projects and ideas. At the bottom you can kind of see how the horn ring is not lined up with the bottom spoke. I guess for the time being I can pull the horn ring off and wrap the bottom spoke with electrical tape to keep it from grounding the horn out. Edited January 11, 2019 by Beemon (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 I wonder if it could be very carefully straightened somehow? Maybe in a press? I saw a beautifully recast steering wheel for a 1937 Roadmaster, but it was from a source that no longer exists. It is possible. I don't know who does it currently. It is more common I think to fill the cracks with epoxy or bondo or polyester resin or something, and repaint. It depends on what you are doing with the car. If you are going to show it I suppose the cracks have to go. I never do that. I love the way the plastic of those old steering wheels feels in my hand, and paint just isn't cut it for me unless the plastic is literally falling off the rim. I am not bothered by cracks, because back in the day steering wheels were all cracked. It is expected and normal. That said, I have never seen as many cracks as you have on one steering wheel. Usually its 3 or 4 cracks. I would just try to find a better one that isn't bent, and hopefully with a few less cracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 8 hours ago, Beemon said: Are there outfits that recast the plastic part of the steering wheel? Yes...but very pricey 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) Hey Ben I have 2 Sup/Roadee columns with wheels still attached. Are all 56 wheels same? Lemme know if you need a cheap core to practice on. Edited January 11, 2019 by Guest (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 I am pretty sure the steering columns are the same for all 56 models. I know the steering wheel and horn ring are also the same in 55. There's a yard locally to me that I am going to go to soon to see if they have a nice core, but that place is pretty questionable when it comes to finding quality parts like a steering wheel. I have seen videos online about cutting out every crack in the steering wheel to patch but there are a LOT of cracks... lol! I think I'll be happy with any steering wheel to be honest as long as I can honk the horn, I am tired of trying to honk at people on the road and nothing happens because I've disconnected the circuit lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 I had www.steeringwheelbob.com do one for $900 ...but it was perfect. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 13, 2019 Author Share Posted January 13, 2019 7 hours ago, Smartin said: I had www.steeringwheelbob.com do one for $900 ...but it was perfect. Yikes! Looks like it will be a few years. His work is phenomenal! Unfortunately I'm getting married this summer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Beemon said: Unfortunately I'm getting married this summer. Congratulations -- sounds like a perfect wedding gift! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 5 hours ago, Beemon said: Yikes! Looks like it will be a few years. His work is phenomenal! Unfortunately I'm getting married this summer. Unfortunately? Better hope she does not see that post. Ben 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 13, 2019 Author Share Posted January 13, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said: Unfortunately? Better hope she does not see that post. Lol! Unfortunate that I won't have spending money to use for the steering wheel! I can see how that could have gone both ways! (This post is for her if she ever finds it) Edited January 13, 2019 by Beemon (see edit history) 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Sounds like you're gonna ad another car to the family fleet? I know you probably want a stock steering wheel, but there's a company that builds period-reasonably correct steering wheels IN COLORS, that you might consider in the mean time. Might work better to keep her hands/fingers nice and soft. Congrats and enjoy! NTX5467 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 On 1/13/2019 at 3:22 PM, NTX5467 said: Sounds like you're gonna ad another car to the family fleet? I know you probably want a stock steering wheel, but there's a company that builds period-reasonably correct steering wheels IN COLORS, that you might consider in the mean time. Might work better to keep her hands/fingers nice and soft. Congrats and enjoy! NTX5467 Willis, do you know what company that is? All I could find were impala steering wheels and no specs on whether or not they would actually work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 A firm called Koch's in California does a great job for less. It'd be case by case of course, but fyi a group of us '65 a-body Buick people, led by Loren Alexander, were able to negotiate a great group deal with Koch's. They stripped/recast/painted our wheels for less than $400/wheel, after the group discount. Obviously a singleton would be more, but they do great work, are excellent to deal with, and I'm confident would be less than $900. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Poorboy it, split some radiator hose and slip around it, then cover the hose with a Steering Wheel Cover.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Talked to Koch's coincidentally today....they have a mold on hand for 55-56 Buick...... $550 includes recast and paint to specified color. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 16, 2019 Author Share Posted January 16, 2019 10 hours ago, pont35cpe said: Poorboy it, split some radiator hose and slip around it, then cover the hose with a Steering Wheel Cover.. I think I'd rather keep the cracks lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 13 hours ago, SBRMD said: Talked to Koch's coincidentally today....they have a mold on hand for 55-56 Buick...... $550 includes recast and paint to specified color. When you say "paint" are you meaning color infused plastic like the original? Or a topcoat of colored paint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 The one I had done was painted with epoxy or something similar, for durability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBRMD Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 7 hours ago, JohnD1956 said: When you say "paint" are you meaning color infused plastic like the original? Or a topcoat of colored paint? Topcoat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share Posted January 17, 2019 If they can color match the ivory color of my original steering wheel, that would be awesome. However, anything goes really at this point. I'm going to be stopping by a junkyard that has one 56 and plenty of 55s and 57s. If I recall, the steering wheel is interchangeable with 55 and very early 57? Correct me if I'm wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 20 minutes ago, Beemon said: If they can color match the ivory color of my original steering wheel, that would be awesome. However, anything goes really at this point. I'm going to be stopping by a junkyard that has one 56 and plenty of 55s and 57s. If I recall, the steering wheel is interchangeable with 55 and very early 57? Correct me if I'm wrong. I am not aware of any early or late versions of the 57 wheel, but there was a standard and deluxe version. I think only the Special had the standard with deluxe optional, and most had the deluxe. The standard version may be the same. I can check my parts book to confirm if I get a chance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 The standard steering wheel for 1957 was the same as 1958 only, according to my master parts book. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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