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| | | Forums66 Topics128,162 Posts1,057,040 Members48,463 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 266 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2011 Posts: 266 | Is there a place or supplier that sells these or maybe even repair them ? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 | I got as far as the drilling out the holes last night (Thanks again Squeeze) but balked at the idea of JB weld as the filler. The material of the wheel is more like rubber (if I had to guess I'd say it is rubber not plastic) and I don't feel comfortable with something as solid as JB as opposed to something more pliable. My concern is the difference between the two areas (solid vrs flexible) sooner or later cracking again. I'm leaning towards 3M 8101 structural adhesive at the moment but I'm curious if anyone has any other pros or cons for the repair.
Give me ambiguity or give me something else
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | When I repair mine I am going the Woody way.
Dennis -there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 115 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 115 | I am in the middle of repairing my steering wheel. I have followed the Woody way. I used JB weld and it is working out just fine. I am now in the process of using filler to smooth it out. I will try to get a picture tonight and post. The biggest thing is patience. Working down different materials, you have to be real careful not to cut the softer one down. In this case the original wheel material seems to be the softer versus JB or the filler.
Kenny Martin Talladega, Ala Second place is the first loser - Ricky Bobby 1956 Chevy 1/2 Ton | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 | The 3M 8101 or similar is used for things like bumper repair. I am finding it very close in density to the original material which helps with that difference in sanding. Adding more for filling or building up is not a problem, its glueing to glue. It is very flexible which seems less likely to chip when painted with epoxy primer which has good flex as well. I'll post some pics when I finish.
Give me ambiguity or give me something else
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 | here's a link to the photos and process of restoring the steering wheel I got out of Red58's freebie box. I loved the way the 8101 flex and density matches the original material. When its first mixed up its very creamy and easy to push into the nooks and crannies and you can still move it around at five minutes to smooth it out. I was able to build up on the one edge with just a little tape as a form. sanding was easy and it didn't gum up at all in the paper. Covering the wheel next with some SPI white epoxy. sprayed three coats let it set sanded it down and hit it again filling any lows and letting it set. I have a couple spots you can see in the pics of a low spot on the wheel that shows where I'm going to fill with the epoxy and then sand it down once more before final paint. It's not there yet but it's on the way. Steering wheel repair using 3M 8101 and SPI epoxy primer
Give me ambiguity or give me something else
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | Regarding the deep cleanouts at the hub: It looks as if you were able to build the spokes back up to the hub at once and not in increments. Is that correct? That's a great restore especially considering what you started with.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,901 | That's correct. I'd suggest over filling where you need to build up areas just to save a step but it will build up thin layers if needed. Thanks
Give me ambiguity or give me something else
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