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MG MG Y Type - steering wheel restoration

Grateful for any advice on restoring steering wheel on my YB. Rim is good but there are cracks where the spokes join the rim. Replacement steering wheels are available in the UK at a price but the ones I have found are plain without that rather nice mottled effect mine still has.
G H Wilson

There was an article in one of the more recent MG Octagon Car Club magazine (The Bulletin) about the restoration of steering wheels, although I think the guy there replaced the whole of the outer rim. I will go back and dig it out and have another look for you.

Also the following link may be of use to you http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8749 for a repair kit. Rodger (info@frost.co.uk) is very helpful and please tell him I referred you.

Since you are in Hampshire, another good call worth making will be to Mota-Lita at Thruxton Circuit and Airfield near Andover. Mota Lita normally sell new ones ... but if you ask nicely they may be able to either point you in the direction of a restorer or do it for you (ask very very nicely and wave some money in the air) possibly.

Hopefully this will give you a start - if you need more help please post a note here again.

Paul
Paul Barrow

OK found the article - it was in March 2006 edition but it covered the restoration of a Bluemells TC steering wheel so it probably wont be too much help to you I am afraid.

However, if you merely have 'cracks' as opposed to 'missing chunks', then the epoxy resin kit will work fine.

Apply sparingly so you dont get it where you dont want it (it wont do the Bakelite any faours and its messy stuff to clean off). Let it dry off for a couple of days/weeks and it may shrink a bit, fill in again, then get some enamel paint (Humbrol hobby paint from a toy shop selling plastic styrofoam kits) of a suitable colour mix and a small paint brush and touch it in.

Hopefully this should sort you out.

Paul
Paul Barrow

I have use ordinary body filler, coloured with paint, in the past. OK if the cracks are on the underside mostly out of view.
Neil Cairns

Am most grateful to Paul Barrow and Neil Cairns for very helpful comments. Was somewhat daunted about the epoxy resin route having read an article some time ago which made it seem pretty tricky. Also the cracks are quite big and on the top as well as below so body filler might not work.
I also tried Wheelwrights in Lancashire who advertize steering wheel restoration in The Automobile and were recommended by someone in the Alvis Owner Club of which I'm a member. They said the covering used on the MG wheels was notoriously unstable and if they used their process the acid would dissolve it. The could recover the whole wheel but more expensive than a new wheel and would then be plain not dappled anyway. Not sure whether their comments are correct but thats what they said.
So it rather looks as though it may be a new wheel for me.
Thank you both again for your comments
Regards
Geoffrey
G H Wilson

Mota-lita can be located using this number and ask them – I know they are sort of related.
Aviation Leathercraft Pilots Clthg Mfrs
Tel: 01264 772811

Don’t be too daunted by the epoxy route. Another way is to go to your local motor store and ask them for a product (I have no idea what it is called) but it is an epoxy paste in two parts – like a stick of candy rock, green on the outside with a white core. You cut off the amount you need (small amounts at a time) then kneed it together and then work it into the crack. Wipe off the excess immediately with a cloth and thinners – be careful though as the thinners does react with the plastic or at least it did on my ZA steering wheel, so go easy. Put it on in small layers, and leave a day or 2 to really harden off between layer applications and build it up as it does shrink.

Paul

Paul Barrow

If you are considering buying a new steering wheel you might as well try the epoxy resin repair.

I did, colouring the resin with wood dye, and it has lasted over two years now with no sign of cracks.

j m nicholson

Hi Geoff,
Before you go off spending a lot of money on a New Wheel-try my method used on several wheels over the past 10 years.
What you need is "Devcon-Magic Putty", what Paul referred to a a stick of green candy rock. It is a two part Epoxy Putty and when set is almost indistructable. It can be over-painted as suggested or mixed with a little colouring(from kids powder paints to shoe dye) to produce the colour close to your requirement. I have use both these methods. Don't over-fill the crack as it is hard to take back down. Almost no shrinkage. Have a look at http://www.itw-devcon.co.uk

You should be able to get it from all good tool suppliers. This stuff is also available in USA, http://www.itw-devcon.com

This Devcon is an "essential" in the toolkit and has got me and several other motorists out of trouble over the years.From holed fuel tanks, fractured fuel lines, stripped threads etc. Go on-try it.
Keith D Herkes

I've used it to stop leaking core plugs before now too!

Paul
Paul Barrow

Am quite overwhelmed by helpful advice from all directions after which cannot reasonably chicken out of epoxy resin route. As I've been reminded, if contemplating the possibilty of getting a new wheel there's nothing to lose by having a go on the old one.
The "green and white stick of rock" sounds a good solution so I've ordered a stick of what now seems to be called "Devcon Magic Bond" (rather than "Devcon Magic Putty")from one of Devcon's many UK distributors. Cost was only around £8 plus VAT so a lot cheaper than some of the epoxy resin kits.
Won't be able to start work for some time as the car is away at the trimmers but thanks again to everyone for all the helpful advice.
Regards,
Geoffrey Wilson
G H Wilson

Geoffrey

You are welcome - we all need help from time to time, I did recently on T-Nuts (or Tee-Nuts) and was impressed with the response too. It is one of the nicest things - I know other MG model owners help their own - but I cannot help thinking that Y folk are a special breed who go above and beyond the norm. It is one of the reasons I love my Ys, and everyone I have met with a Y so far. I am sure I am not alone in this sentiment either.

Paul
Paul Barrow

I can vouch for the helpfulness of Y Type people, one of the aspects I miss most about Y Type ownership now that I no longer have one.
Andrew Adamson

Buy another one Andrew!
Paul Barrow

I totally agree Andrew but you can't have your old one back, especially now that I know how to repair the steering wheel!
Peter Sharp

Nice one Peter!

Looks like you will have to buy another one now Andrew - LOL :-))
Paul Barrow

Thanks Paul & Peter. I haven't ruled out getting another one someday, when time and finances permit. Hope GBX166 is in fine fettle.
Andrew Adamson

GBX 166 is sitting in a warm dry garage with a new car cover, drained and flushed and refilled with anti-freeze. She's got new hoses and a sump full of new Penrite oil; waiting for the Spring Run.
Peter Sharp

Fellows, there's a two part epoxy sold in the US called Marine Tex. It's thick like putty and comes in black and gray. It has many uses and restoration of an old cracked steering wheel would be one. It can be used on a cracked block and I have repaired a badly cracked aluminum, finned crankcase cover on a Bimmer with it. You can saw it, drill it or sand it. It holds forever.
Barry Sandman
Baz

Sounds a bit like JB Weld - which would have about the same properties and may work just as well.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Yes Paul, very similar.
Barry
Baz

Message for GH Wilson -

There is an original steering wheel in pretty good condition on eBay at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220080752936&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:UK:1 if you are interested.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi,

I read mention of Wheelwrights in Lancashire UK for recovering steering wheels, anyone got any further info on them?

regards
Hugh
Hugh

The steering wheel on eBay recently went for £170, and that without the horn push or a working trafficator switch!!

About the only mention of Wheelwrights I can find on the Internet is in an MGOC document but it didnt supply any more information other than:

The Warehouse, Baxtergate Off Lord Street, Morecombe, Lancs LA4 5DE
TEL: 01524 423453
FAX: 01524 831953

I hope this is of use to you.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Dear Y-typers : have been reading the Y-Type threads with great interest, having (at 53) just found out how to switch a computer on. Is there a doctor among you, as I fear I have a strange disease: not only that, but I may have passed it on to my wife! Symptoms are as follows:
We run a small, busy business which keeps us in a great lifestyle - but neither of us want to drive new cars. Instead, we choose to run old bangers, including YA, TD and BGT. We keep a 12 year old Discovery to keep the family quiet.
When home in the evening or weekends, I am overcome with lethargy if I go anywhere near the television - yet I become sprightly and full of misplaced confidence when I slip out to the shed to do a bit of tinkering.
While others are excited by shopping for food and clothing, I become skittish wating for mail deliveries of new parts, or even ... dare I say ...catalogues!
My decision-making sharpness at work depends upon factors such as whether West Ham have had a win yet, or other subjective ranking of priorities - yet mental clarity improves markedly when certain items crop up - such as second-hand hoist, rotisserie for car body, new torque wrench, etc.
And now, a new aspect to my "little problem" - I have discovered that there are all sorts of apparently like-minded people out in cyberspace, willing and interested enough to get on the BBS and discuss fine minutiae like the size of their nipples, or how long they can maintain their dwell angle for.
All I can say is, hooray for this wonderful affliction that I have, and may it never go away. As I continue to struggle with seemingly one restoration after another, I shall enjoy the company of every one of you. With kind regards, John Hall.
John Hall

Oops - I may have added my comments to the bottom of the Steering Wheel thread by mistake - sorry to break protocol, I will have to learn more about this computer bizzo. John.
John Hall

Dear John, welcome to the club. Your symptoms sound perfectly normal to me; nothing wrong with you or your wife!
Willem van der Veer

John

I can only echo Willem's comments - welcome to the club!!

You say that you have a YA, but we dont appear to have it yet on our Ys on Parade at www.mgytypes.org so I shall contact you off the BBS with some instructions of how to share your YA with us too.

Cheers

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hello John,
And I thought we knew where all the Y-Types were in Qld. I did see a car come through Brisbane a few years back from Mareeba, and there are YA's in Townsville, Airlie Beach and Mackay, so you are the most Northern known Y-Typer down under.

If ever you need help or some parts, send me an e-mail.

cheers

Tony
Tony Slattery

Can I please drag this thread back to the topic as advertised and away from salacious innuendo of a dubious nature. Nipples and dwell angle indeed, we'll have none of that sort of talk here thank you very much.
I have just repaired the cracks in my steering wheel with a two part epoxy putty called 'Milliput'. It is used to repair crockery and porcelain and in model making. It's available from model and hobby shops in the UK at around £2.50 a pack(I don't know about the rest of the world but there is a web site; http://www.milliput.co.uk/home.htm). The advantage over other fillers is that it is water soluble, not solvent based; can be smoothed and moulded into shape with a wet finger or cloth and won't attack the bakelite. It comes in three colours; the grey/green variety is a good base for repainting the marbled effect.
P S Sharp

This thread was discussed between 20/01/2007 and 08/03/2007

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