PG Classic Repro Woodgrain Steering Wheel Issues

[Bobby41909]

Just purchased a repro steering wheel from PG Classic and was surprised to see the lack of quality review by the manufacturer.  I've purchased a ton of stuff from them with excellent results and customer service so I was surprised with this item.  I already sent it back and they are sending me a new one that they say they'll unwrap and inspect before they ship.  That's one thing Mike at BEA does all the time and is probably worth the few bucks extra he charges compared to them.

I decided to go with the repro wheel because I really like the polished metal look.  Matches all the other chrome and polished stainless throughout the rest of the interior.

At first glance (front view) it looks nice but turn it around or inspect the sides and its a mess (scratches, woodtype material separating from the metal, totally unfinished back side. I posted a few pics for your enjoyment:











Must have been made on a Friday afternoon

[bull]

It looks like a good USED wheel rather than a new one.

[68r/t]

Mine was the same, the grain finish is a joke.

[Ghoste]

Not a very good looking part that's for sure.

[BananaDan]

You could always get one from Mike Tarkington http://www.steeringwheelsbymike.com.  He takes their repro wheels and makes them look like the originals, one being he redoes the woodgrain finish.  You could probably work something out with him that he redoes the woodgrain, but leaves the spokes chromed if that's what you prefer.

Pics of mine.
http://1970chargerregistry.com/mboard/index.php?topic=179.msg2026#msg2026

[69RTSE]

You may want to pass on getting them to send you a replacement (will be the same) and get a used one and have it restored.  You'll be happier with the results. 

[hemi68charger]

Thanks for the head's up Bobby....... 

[tan top]

 

Thanks for the head's up Bobby.......  

  thats crap  poor workman ship !! ,  for how much ?? almost $500    

[RIDELIKEHELL]

YIKES! I didn't get a wheel from them but a truckload of other stuff that is nice stuff. Good you pointed this out as I'm sure it'll save some others from buying that wheel.

[68r/t]

I got some scotch bright pads on mine to dull off the shine as I wanted it to have the satin look, the back of mine is like yours and I have found if the weather is hot  you get a slight brown stain on your hands after a drive.
It really is a overpriced piece of crap.

[Old Moparz]

Yeah, it looks like a decent "used" steering wheel. 

Having an original wheel redone is expensive, but the difference might be worth putting it off a bit so more money can be accumulated to do it. I got an estimate for my wheel that was above what I can budget myself for. I was leaning towards a PG wheel after that quote, but probably won't now knowing others aren't very happy with their repro wheel. I may simply put a leather wrap on mine until I can drop the cash on having it redone.

[moparstuart]

so what do they cost  ?  I like the polished chrome look also ?

[Old Moparz]

so what do they cost  ?  I like the polished chrome look also ?

They're around $400.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=52765.0

[moparstuart]

so what do they cost  ?  I like the polished chrome look also ?

They're around $400.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=52765.0

wow     i think i can get an original chromed and refurbished for a little more than that

[Old Moparz]

so what do they cost  ?  I like the polished chrome look also ?

They're around $400.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=52765.0

wow     i think i can get an original chromed and refurbished for a little more than that

The $400 is for the basic wheel, you still need the horn pad & the parts under it. I got a quote to have my wheel redone by a member here, stwheels, also known as "The Steering Wheel Guy" in Canada. I forget the exact amount, but it was higher than the PG repro wheel for $400. Sent him a bunch of photos of mine, but I have to wait. I've seen lots of photos of his work & it looks nice. I also haven't heard anything bad about him.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,36526.msg401275.html#msg401275

And another member here, Orange Bird, advertises in the Services Offered forum. He did a blue wheel for my Satellite that came out very nice. I had asked if he did wood grain, but he doesn't.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,38469.0.html

[tatrick2me]

You could always get one from Mike Tarkington http://www.steeringwheelsbymike.com.  He takes their repro wheels and makes them look like the originals, one being he redoes the woodgrain finish.  You could probably work something out with him that he redoes the woodgrain, but leaves the spokes chromed if that's what you prefer.

Pics of mine.
http://1970chargerregistry.com/mboard/index.php?topic=179.msg2026#msg2026

This is great information, I just sent Mike my 73 Charger rim blow wheel.

[moparstuart]

so what do they cost  ?  I like the polished chrome look also ?

They're around $400.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=52765.0

wow     i think i can get an original chromed and refurbished for a little more than that

 

The $400 is for the basic wheel, you still need the horn pad & the parts under it. I got a quote to have my wheel redone by a member here, stwheels, also known as "The Steering Wheel Guy" in Canada. I forget the exact amount, but it was higher than the PG repro wheel for $400. Sent him a bunch of photos of mine, but I have to wait. I've seen lots of photos of his work & it looks nice. I also haven't heard anything bad about him.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,36526.msg401275.html#msg401275

And another member here, Orange Bird, advertises in the Services Offered forum. He did a blue wheel for my Satellite that came out very nice. I had asked if he did wood grain, but he doesn't.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,38469.0.html

will the repo wheels take the original horn ring and pad  ?
my buddy rod restores wheels and can pull the simulated wood off get them chromes and then restore them back.   I have seen him do it with those 66 or 67 recall finger killing steering wheels .

   gswrestorations@aol.com   rods email

[nascarxx29]

I got used woodgrain wheels in my shed nicer

[MRCHARGER]

All the reproduction wheels are like that. They don't care about quality or correctness in China. I would have been better off having an original redone, instead I'm stuck with this incorrect shiny front/scratchy back wheel. Trust me it won't stay in the car long.

Spend the $$ to get a real one that has been brought back to life by an American who understands what craftsmanship is all about. I've never been happy when I try to save a few bucks on this car because it doesn't work out. If you want something (or someone) good you have to pay for it.

[68 CHARGER R/T]

your best bet it to send it back . it will cost you a tad more, like these guys are saying .But in the long run you won't have any worries about it for a long time   like stated above rod does amazing working , i was shocked when i bought my 68 grille from him 

[Bobby41909]

I already sent the wheel back to their location in Canada and they just sent me a tracking number showing the replacement wheel is coming from China directly.  Hopefully this one is better but from what a few others with this wheel have stated it although it might arrive with marks in the wood the back of the spokes will have that scratched look.  It cost me amost $50 to send it back to them so this can get expensive.  I've seen examples of member who redoes the repro wheels to look original and they look great.  So maybe I'll go that route.

Anyonw know how much that costs?

Really sucks that they sell this wheel as a reproduction when in fact it isn't.  I've replaced just about everything on this car and everything I've gotten so far has been really nice.  Especially from PG Classic.  Some of the higher dollor itens like the taillight lenses, all the console parts (my car didn't have one), dash pad, etc have all been excellent products IMO.  This wheel seems to stand out from the rest from a quality perspective.  If I were them, if thats the way the China-men are going to manufacturer it, I wouldn't sell it.  Where is the pride in what you sell?  Appears to me that PG Classic & BEA are just as responsible as the China-men.

I'll post pictures of the replacement wheel when it arrives.  Hopefully I have good news to report.

[Old Moparz]

It's a shame that the steering wheel isn't so great, but you can't really say that all the stuff made in China is pure crap. I picked up one of those wicker finger cuff things that trapped my daughter pretty damn good & made her mad when she was about 3.