HQ Sandman steering wheel insert

[Valencia]

I had a broken one years ago just ditched it in the bin
when i finally do my van resto im buying a Rare Spares one honestly there fine
how shit would my interior look with complete NOS dash gauges and facia with a used steering wheel

[Wombat7051]

i got told a story, how true it is and if it would work i don't know, but
if you take a thin craft type knife and run it around the molding step you can separate the rubber from the steel frame, you can then weld the frame and then glue the rubber back on and if you do it right you will never pick it.
NOW I have never tried it, I am only repeating a story, it may be right it may be wrong. Just putting it out there.

[stickthis]

I had a broken one years ago just ditched it in the bin
when i finally do my van resto im buying a Rare Spares one honestly there fine
how shit would my interior look with complete NOS dash gauges and facia with a used steering wheel

I agree 100% with that. My NOS HZ GTS im building. If I did not have a NOS one. I would 100% be buying a Rares one. From what everyone tells me they are very good and near impossible to pick between a NOS Bridestone one and the rares one. Rares listened to what the market wanted. They went out spent huge money to retool and make them as original. Not to mention the ADR costs that would have been involved. I haven't had one in my hands. But from what people who have told me that have. Im sure if I put one in my NOS HZ GTS it would not get picked up on. (apart from having a HQ horn pad).
I brought my NOS one before rares made the ones they currently do. It cost me around $1200. Just for the wheel. No horn pad or horn backing etc. Just a blank pad.

HQ Sandman logo will be fixed no doubts there.

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i got told a story, how true it is and if it would work i don't know, but
if you take a thin craft type knife and run it around the molding step you can separate the rubber from the steel frame, you can then weld the frame and then glue the rubber back on and if you do it right you will never pick it.
NOW I have never tried it, I am only repeating a story, it may be right it may be wrong. Just putting it out there.

As a Machinist by trade I would NEVER do this to my own wheel. Is the sake of saving $500 on a brand new repro wheel worth risking it snapping off again due to the properties in the steel and it not being welded correctly using the correct techniques? Obviously not having a dig at you wombat! Just putting out my point of view.

I would not be risking it when there is a perfectly good repro wheel on the market.

[gregbark]

The steel ring used on the steering wheel has been shaped. It is not just a piece of round. This ensures the moulding adheres to it and cannot be twisted. It is not just rubber. You would have difficulty removing the polyurethane as any remaining could be effected by heat generated in welding. Then a correct adhesive would have to be used to make the end finish acceptable. The integrity of the weld is the next concern. The Rare Spares wheels go through a very comprehensive test to conform to ADR10. A rebuilt wheel should have to do the same, as fitting a wheel that is non compliant may void your insurance if it was in an accident and found to be at fault.

[Wombat7051]

Obviously not having a dig at you wombat! Just putting out my point of view.
Never entered my mind mate.

I totally agree with you Jason and Greg.
I thought it was a good story but the effects or possibility of it actually working were a little far fetched.

[stickthis]

[Absinth]

Sean i would never ever sell a dud steering wheel to to anyone let alone a forum member as a matter of fact i have never sold any dud parts to anybody in my life thats not how i roll buddy i have bought plenty of used parts over the years and yes i have been burnt before thats why i wont touch nothing but NOS parts now

sorry Gene, I never meant to imply you would sell a dud part.... I was more so referring to buying them off eBay where people will pay stupid prices as Ivan has suggested for a wheel that could be broken or very worn.

I paid $500 for what was described as an excellent condition HQ SS steering wheel and when it arrived I was very happy with the visual condition of it.... Until I test fitted it on a steering column and it was then I discovered it was broken on both sides just above the spokes. You couldn't tell it was broken except for a slight deformation of the grip at the breaks. It felt solid when not fitted. Seller swore it wasn't broken and refused to refund my money.... Thankfully PayPal stepped in and refunded me in full after a few close up pics and proof of returning it to the seller.

[Valencia]

No probs Sean didnt think you meant how it came across but yeah i have bought heaps of ebay and been disappointed when the parts have arrived

[Absinth]

Surely there must be a lot of people out there that have broken them that could tell how they did it????

1) pulling on the top of the steering wheel while adjusting seat.

2) using the top of the steering wheel to pull yourself up to get out of the car.

constantly doing either of the above will fatigue the metal and it eventually snaps.... Yes I broke mine in the HJ ute back in the day... Replaced it with a 14" Momo. That Momo has since been recovered and is now in my Landcruiser. I still have the Momo boss for the ute also..

[mcdvi]

Hi, I have had this type of steering wheel insert that I was saving to put on the ute I am restoring, I have taken the photo from one of blockers posts in 2010. Can anyone tell me what model it come from, I always thought it was hq/hj ,DSC00026.jpg