Advice - Repair steering wheel or buy new

[AKcharger]

Hi guys so My original Rallye wheel in my '70 was near perfect till I left it outside for a few days in the sun and it cracked. I was going to send it for repair but seems they just fill the crack and paint. Concern is what would keep it from cracking in another location, plus $400 is a lot just to fill a crack and paint...I can do that myself!  However, it is Original. On the other hand repops are $520. new and no wait What do ya think?

[Dave Kanofsky]

You're missing a much cheaper option...    

[b5blue]

You are good at this stuff so do a repair yourself! 

[Challenger340]

I think they sell a Kit for repairs ? just say'in....  and as mentioned you're a pretty handy fella so why not punch up a few YouTube University Lectures and give it a shot ? What's worst thing can happen.... send it for restoration anyways ?

[Kern Dog]

Holy crap....LOOKIE who just showed up?
Man...you've been off the forums for awhile, man. It is good to see you pop in again.

[Nacho-RT74]

Maybe try to find a nice used original?

[AKcharger]

You're missing a much cheaper option...    

Lol!

[AKcharger]

- Kern may give that a try!
- challenger 340...cant argue with that!
- Kern dog! yup I'm still lurkin' about lol
- Nacho they're outrageous for a good used, even a cracked one is $400

I think I'll give it a try...cant hurt right?

[AKcharger]

On-order
Considering repair est. was $450 plus shipping I'm gonna try it for $100

[b5blue]

You can do it!!

[marshallfry01]

I don't mind spending a little more to keep an original part on my charger... but that may just be me.  Very few aftermarket products out there that are actually better than the OEM parts.

[Back N Black]

I repaired mine with epoxy and within 3 months it cracked again, I think the epoxy shrinks baking in the sun.

[b5blue]

Maybe do it when it's hot outside?

[Old Moparz]

I was faced with the same dilemma for my '70 Road Runner. The wood grain wheel was cracked & the Steering Wheel Guy in Canada was the one who I wanted to do the work. Everything I see from him is absolutely prefect but I just can't budget $500 or more on a steering wheel. I thought about the after market OEM style but the wood grain wheels look cheesy to me & also over $500.

I decided to go with a budget Grant style wheel as a long term, temporary fix but then ran across a random internet photo of another '70 Road Runner with the 2 spoke, E-Body wheel & it looked okay. Besides, I just happened to have a perfect one in stock that I yanked from a junkyard car back around 1980 or so. They are common & seem to hold up well.

There is someone who advertised in the Services forum on here that does steering wheel restorations, "Orange Bird" is the user name. While he didn't repair cracks for me, he did paint a mint condition, black steering wheel in the correct blue for my '69 Satellite ragtop. It looks perfect & I would definitely use him again. He didn't do wood grain when I asked him a couple of years ago but I may ask again.

Edit:
His ad is old but he may still do this work. If you try to contact him & don't have any luck, let me know & I will see if I still have his address & info at home.

Here's his ad on the site.....
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,54273.0.html

Here's my E-Body wheel in the B-Body thread.....
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,142618.msg17

[AKcharger]

Well, problem is I think any epoxy will crank over time...even "professional" repairs. I did chat with one guy who in my opinion does it right, he sand the whole wheel down ads carbon fiber, then epoxy and cuts in wood grain before painting. problem is year wait and $1800

[purple70rt]

I am very happy with the new woodgrain wheel I bought for my 70 Charger.

[70 sublime]

I am following along to see how you make out as I picked up a wood grain wheel that needs some cracks filled in

When I look at it I am not sure how to keep the metal rim part showing or will it need the top and below the rim fixed as a seperate operation

[AKcharger]

well interestingly enough the order for the repair kit didn't go through. so I'm re thinking just buying a new one. Yup not original but either are the tires or Front-end bushings

[b5blue]

Hey then sell the old one? 

[moparstuart]

I am very happy with the new woodgrain wheel I bought for my 70 Charger.

just installed a new on for a guy with a 70 roadrunner other then the spokes being shiney chorme  i liked it   looked very good 

[Old Moparz]

I am very happy with the new woodgrain wheel I bought for my 70 Charger.

just installed a new on for a guy with a 70 roadrunner other then the spokes being shiney chorme  i liked it   looked very good 

I've read that people have scuffed up the shiny part to give it a more original look.