The bottom line to all this wheel restoration is the fact that although an
effective temporary repair can be made, ultimately it will recrack. This
holds true for all epoxies, even Eastwood's steering wheel repair kit.
The simple fact is that the core rim is steel and the old plastic and any of
these repair materials can't follow the expansion and contraction that will
ultimately happen with temperature changes.
As far as I'm concerned the best answer to keep our cars original is to
install a new reproduction of the original spring spoke wheel which has the
advantage of a modern plastic that will expand and contract with the steel
core and will last intact for many years.
Of course I'm an originality nut, but it seems that at shows with rows and
rows of nice looking MGB's as soon as you look into the interior, it's so
often disapointing to see the owner has chosen "other" stuff instead of the
smart looking and correct original style wheel.
To each his own for sure......
Rich Chrysler
----- Original Message -----
From: "William T Snyder" <wtsnyder@juno.com>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2004 12:53 PM
Subject: Steering Wheel for '66B
> While restoring my '66 B a few years back, I was presented with the same
> problem. The came to my home with a ratty small diameter wood wheel whose
> style did not fit with the steel dash B. I purchased an original MkI
> steering wheel for $40 off the MG Classified Ads on the MG Enthusiast
> website. It had 3 large cracks around the circumference of the wheel, but
> the spoke attachment sites were in good shape. I used a burr on a Dremel
> tool to widen and deepen all three cracks, then filled them with two part
> gray epoxy paste. Hand filing and sanding eventually brought the surface
> back down to the original level. I then sprayed the wheel with several
> coats of black gloss laquer, that has, to date, held up well. One of the
> cracks is visible again after 4-5 years of use.
>
> My assessment is that, by design, these wheels are weak due to large
> diameter, thin wheel, over half of the circumference unsupported by
> spokes, and low performance period materials. However, it has provided me
> with a terrific looking and proper wheel with decent service at a low
> cost.
>
> NOW............I have a TD steering wheel in much worse shape. Then
> spokes and center hub are fine, but most of the circumference of the
> wheel has lost all of its bakelite, leaving behind only the steel support
> in the center. Has ANYONE had any success in restoring a wheel in this
> condition? All input is appreciated.
>
> Bill Snyder
> '66B
> '53 TD under construction
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