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Repair to bakelite steering wheel BJ8

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IanIrving

Jedi Hopeful
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I've searched the archive but can find nothing on how to repair the usual cracks in the steering wheel. Has anyone done it and if so how and using what materials? Also, when car steering is in straight ahead position, should the steering wheel be mounted as a Y or as an inverted Y? mine is mounted as a Y but slightly off at around one o'clock and I'd like to get it mounted right if I have to take it off to repair.
A third question, the two drain pipes from the bottom of the inlet manifold which end up around the level of the oil sump to block fixings, should they have clips to hold them to some point, if so to where? They make an anoying rattle at some road speeds which must mean they are vibrating and could eventually fracture. The car runs really well, I'm just trying to stop odd rattles and shakes.
Thaks
Ian Irving

HBJ8L/32419
 
I restored the steering wheel on my TF. Not knowing what material was used in making your wheel, I can only tell you what I did and give a couple photos. I routed out every crack with a Dremel tool and dental bits, filled in the cracks with Devcon epoxy, filed everything down, sanded, primed and painted. Then covered with 4 coats of clear coat. I even had to mill an eighth of an inch off the bottom of the hub to make it look right, as someone in the past beat it with a hammer and screwed it all up, I'm assuming to remove it, instead of doing it properly with a puller.

<span style="font-weight: bold">BEFORE & DURING RESTRO.</span>
TFswheelcollage2-1mill.jpg


<span style="font-weight: bold">AFTER</span>
Steeringwheel4-25.jpg


Devcon epoxy;
EpoxyPutty.jpg
 
Hi Paul
I think the material is bakelite, nice job of your wheel. Minis is not as badly damaged, its deep surface cracks on the top of the rim, spokes are good and well chromed. I'll look for epoxy putty, if I could find it in black would be better.
Ian
 
Looks good. Just be aware that temperature extremes could make the cracks telegraph through your repairs over time.
 
I had the same experience with epoxy.....looked great for a couple years then started to recrack.....covered it with a black leather steering wheel cover.

Pete
 
Inverted Y. Easier to see the gauges. There are two flat metal pieces with two holes in them, that mount onto the oil pan securing bolts. You can get them from BCS in Stoclton,CA if Moss does not have them.
 
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