Replacing wood on steering wheel

[Tahoe]

I might purchase a steering wheel that has no wood. Who, preferably in the USA, is capable of restoring a steering wheel with new wood? Not sure if it's cost effective to do this and don't want to pay too much for a wheel in this condition. Anyone have a feeling of what a woodless wheel is worth?

[RotoFlexible]

Hi Russ,

It certainly can be done - see this post. I was pleased with the results, but the process, not so much so.

[prezoom]

I am facing the same sort of problem. The steering wheel of my Elva is in pretty sad shape and I am going to have to do a complete repair. It is almost identical to the steering wheel in my S2, but there is a slight difference in diameter. Not sure if the wheel in the S2 is exactly correct, diameter wise, as I believe it was a replacement, though a very nice replacement. From an outside measurement, what is the correct diameter of the S2 wheel?

[Tahoe]

Andrew,

Your wheel certainly looks great and although not inexpensive I would willing to pay that much for excellent results. 18 months seems like a very long time, but that's just me. The wheel I'm thinking of buying has no wood. Would that be a problem if he doesn't have a template to work with?

[RotoFlexible]

Andrew,

Your wheel certainly looks great and although not inexpensive I would willing to pay that much for excellent results. 18 months seems like a very long time, but that's just me. The wheel I'm thinking of buying has no wood. Would that be a problem if he doesn't have a template to work with?

I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem, especially since he has had recent experience with my wheel and has done similar wheels in the past. He suggested building a metal rim on the three spokes for safety, and I agreed. The metal rim is completely hidden within the wooden rim. He preserved (and cleaned up) the brushed finish on the spokes, but didn't fill a small ding on one of the spokes as I thought he would. Call it "patina."

As for the time - I think he lost track of the wheel in the press of other work. When I finally got his attention, he was somewhat embarrassed and finished up quickly.

Don't be surprised if he quotes you a higher price than I paid - in my case, he stood by a price that he quoted a year before the project began.

[tesprit]

Hey guys, I don't know if you saw or remember this post on BAT: http://bringatrailer.com/2014/10/05/ent ... s-elan-s2/ but the wood steering wheel in this Elan was professionally rebuilt here in the US and even though you can't tell by looking at it, it actually has a metal ring buried in the wood that is attached to the spokes so it will not fail like the original. Just contact Zog and I am sure he will give you the information on where/who did the work.

[Tahoe]

Thanks for the reminder. Email just sent to Zog.