A.D.D. for Porsche people

[Cornpanzer]

As if I dont have enought projects and chores in my life I have now decided that I need to learn to recover steering wheels.

I have yet to see a recovered wheel that was done 'right'. Either the grain of the leather is wrong or the stitching around the spokes is incorrect or the edge of the leather is trimmed off where it meets the spokes instead of turned under like the factory did it.

I spent some time with a local leather supplier and found some leather with the right grain and thickness. I used an old 380mm wheel with bad leather for a pattern and made a new wrap. This was more difficult than I expected as it was very challenging to get the orginal to lay flat. Plus I had to componsate for 35 years of stretching and cut the new leather slightly smaller.

I spent this evening skiving the edges so that I could fold the leather over for a neat edge where it meets the spoke. What a tedious process....i certainly have more sympathy for the men and women who did this all day long at the steering wheel factory! Its a wonder that I can type!

Next I have to measure out all of the stitch holes and pre-punch them with an awl. Once that is done, I can start the fun part of stitching!

If all goes well with this "practice wheel", I will start on a 380mm RSR wheel. Commonly refered to as a "double wrap" wheel, the factory actually used a thin piece of felt and some cotton batting under the leather to make a bigger grip and not a second piece of leather (stands to reason - why would they waste the expensive leather). The RSR wheels were also based on a hard plastic 380mm wheel and not the typical rubber grip wheel of the 914-6/RS. (Thanks to Jeff Smith for showing me his disected RSR wheel!)

Anyway, hopefully by rennsport I will be sporting a cool thick-grip wheel!

[fryardds]

Yes! Finally some leather that looks like it came from VDM.

Nice job Dave. Gee, I sure would like one of those 'double wrapped' wheels too, don't you owe me a big favor for something.

[caproader]

Hey Dave,
Speaking of Rennssport: Are you driving down? Are we getting a caravan group together? And are you going to Beechmont Porsche's event at the Kentucky Speedway on Friday, 27 April?

John
73 S with sporto and 69 912 in rehab

[Cornpanzer]

John,
Yes there will be a caravan down to rrennsport. Not planning to do the Ky thing.......I could possibly be convinced though?

[MoparBoy72]

Lookin good, I took the easy way out and wrote a check last week.


I let you know how it turns out, 3-4 week turn around. Just a single wrap for this one though.


As a note I have heard that if you soak the leather in water first then stich it on and let it dry, the leather will dry/constrict on the wheel and give a better apperance. I have no proof of this though, just hear-say.

[ErVikingo]

You are a real enthusiast, even your straight edge ruler reads " 901"

[RickS]

ADD or OCD? Your attention to detail makes me tend to lean toward the latter. Your meds are on their way! Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

[Zithlord]

Nice tread, I obviously did some misstakes when I did this job, since I did not use different stiches at the spokes and did not fold the leather in at the end of the spokes. Can you please show how you will be doing these parts with pictures?

John

[72targa]

What's a good way to clean up an early stock (leather-covered) steering wheel and make it look good again?

[Carl Bauer]

Peter,

I posted a good thread on this at Pelican when I restored the leather on my Carrera sport wheel.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=293601