Steering Wheel leather replacement with pics.
09-09-2007, 05:33 AM
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Steering Wheel leather replacement with pics.
Just wanted to share for those thinking of undertaking this process.
I purchased this kit from 928intl, shipping of course was quick and since I had some time over the weekend I figured why not. I believe the kit was Agla or something to that effect.
My shark is a 80k mint condition example and some wear on the steering wheel was starting to bug me considering how nice the rest of the interior is in so I figured I would try to repair it first. I'm **** about that type of thing.
Color match is good though the texture is a tad off which is no big deal to me as the center spokes still match the horn pad. Judgment call on your behalf I suppose as the kit does come with the center spoke leather as well but as mine was still perfect I kept it as this matched the horn pad as mentioned. The leather fit the wheel just fine and required very little trimming on the inside spoke areas once I finished it up. The holes were lined up pretty good though I made a few extra with the needle in some parts for a stronger hold-especially in the corners.
After some reading various sources it seems there are a few different approaches to a steering wheel rewrap. Some use contact cement to keep the leather in place, others don't, some use two needles and cross over at the same time similar to lacing a shoe from the bottom up while the method I used was to lace one direction with one needle and then pass back lacing up the other side. I suppose it is up to the individual with what really works for them. I did use some cement on the inner edge of the spoke to keep the leather snugged up to the center spoke leather and then looped thread together to keep the ends butted up nicely. Once past the learning curve things sort of click into place and the needle gets going though my eyes were strained at so much close up work. I recommend taking some breaks and since this is not my daily driver I did it over the course of a couple of nights.
One thing I still cannot understand though is how I completed this entire thing and not once did I draw any blood. Knock on wood as I will probably injure myself installing it.
(EDIT: Steering wheel installed fine, but I ended up snapping a CV joint on my press while replacing the CV boots-something had to go wrong).
I also used one of the needles to pull up (tighten) the threads after each 5 stitches to keep things tout. There are tools for this but I am not a seamstress so my sewing toolkit is very limited.
The thread supplied in the kit was not going to work as it just was not even close to enough to complete the job and also weak so I went off to Joannes and picked up some heavy duty coated upholstery thread which at 33 yards was more than enough for one steering wheel. I also picked up another curved needle and thank goodness as I ended up breaking one of them during the process.
Total time was around 11 hours taking my time (lots of TV) and also with 4 runs at it as I did not like how things were going on the first 3 (first time for me doing this) and I started over each time until I got it to my satisfaction.
I started on the inside left and right portions first and then the top before finishing with the bottom of the wheel. To measure I first ran some thread on the outside of what I was working on and then multiplied by 5 to give me enough thread for that portion of the wheel. I would rather have too much than left short and I had an entire spool to play with.
I must say that I am pretty content with the completed unit and though the finished product may not compare to a professional restitch I only paid under $65.00 for the kit, thread, and needle plus some labor and I feel pretty good about it as well.
The new leather is also a tad thicker which I think this car really needs as it now feels much nicer in the hands and the grip is better as well. Time to test it out on some corners.
Some pics:
Completed product.
Fitting the leather around the wheel.
Coming back up for the second pass to complete the X-stitch.
Completed lower portion.
I purchased this kit from 928intl, shipping of course was quick and since I had some time over the weekend I figured why not. I believe the kit was Agla or something to that effect.
My shark is a 80k mint condition example and some wear on the steering wheel was starting to bug me considering how nice the rest of the interior is in so I figured I would try to repair it first. I'm **** about that type of thing.
Color match is good though the texture is a tad off which is no big deal to me as the center spokes still match the horn pad. Judgment call on your behalf I suppose as the kit does come with the center spoke leather as well but as mine was still perfect I kept it as this matched the horn pad as mentioned. The leather fit the wheel just fine and required very little trimming on the inside spoke areas once I finished it up. The holes were lined up pretty good though I made a few extra with the needle in some parts for a stronger hold-especially in the corners.
After some reading various sources it seems there are a few different approaches to a steering wheel rewrap. Some use contact cement to keep the leather in place, others don't, some use two needles and cross over at the same time similar to lacing a shoe from the bottom up while the method I used was to lace one direction with one needle and then pass back lacing up the other side. I suppose it is up to the individual with what really works for them. I did use some cement on the inner edge of the spoke to keep the leather snugged up to the center spoke leather and then looped thread together to keep the ends butted up nicely. Once past the learning curve things sort of click into place and the needle gets going though my eyes were strained at so much close up work. I recommend taking some breaks and since this is not my daily driver I did it over the course of a couple of nights.
One thing I still cannot understand though is how I completed this entire thing and not once did I draw any blood. Knock on wood as I will probably injure myself installing it.
(EDIT: Steering wheel installed fine, but I ended up snapping a CV joint on my press while replacing the CV boots-something had to go wrong).I also used one of the needles to pull up (tighten) the threads after each 5 stitches to keep things tout. There are tools for this but I am not a seamstress so my sewing toolkit is very limited.
The thread supplied in the kit was not going to work as it just was not even close to enough to complete the job and also weak so I went off to Joannes and picked up some heavy duty coated upholstery thread which at 33 yards was more than enough for one steering wheel. I also picked up another curved needle and thank goodness as I ended up breaking one of them during the process.
Total time was around 11 hours taking my time (lots of TV) and also with 4 runs at it as I did not like how things were going on the first 3 (first time for me doing this) and I started over each time until I got it to my satisfaction.
I started on the inside left and right portions first and then the top before finishing with the bottom of the wheel. To measure I first ran some thread on the outside of what I was working on and then multiplied by 5 to give me enough thread for that portion of the wheel. I would rather have too much than left short and I had an entire spool to play with.
I must say that I am pretty content with the completed unit and though the finished product may not compare to a professional restitch I only paid under $65.00 for the kit, thread, and needle plus some labor and I feel pretty good about it as well.
The new leather is also a tad thicker which I think this car really needs as it now feels much nicer in the hands and the grip is better as well. Time to test it out on some corners.
Some pics:
Completed product.
Fitting the leather around the wheel.
Coming back up for the second pass to complete the X-stitch.
Completed lower portion.
Last edited by pearlpower; 09-10-2007 at 12:55 AM.
