72 steering wheel (repairs needed)

[Greg McDonnell CLC# 20841]

The steering wheel on my 72 Fleetwood has some pretty serious cracks. Any suggestions as to whom I should contact about repairing it? Are NOS or good used ones (mine is medium blue)impossible to find for the 71/72 models)? Were the steering wheels on the 73-76 full size Cadillacs the same as the wheels on the 72 models?

Thanks!

Greg

[Lars Kneller 8246]

Any 71-76 wheel should work. Your best bet is finding a good used one (about $75 from my experience), and having it painted to match.  I did that with my 72 Eldo using one from a 76 Eldo.  My bodyman also cleared over the woodgrain to keep it from peeling off.

[Rich Sullivan CLC #11473]

How does the Cleared over the wood-grain prevent it peeling? My 71 Eldorado steering wheel is original, and intact, and would be considered in excellent condition--with 48,000 miles of use--but I want to do what I can to preserve its condition. I usually cover it with a towel if it will be parked in the hot sun for any length of time--but is it recommended to have it cleared? What should I ask for at the trim shop? Also, what is the cause of so many of these 70s Cadillac steering wheels cracking (probably heat)? Thank you (in advance)for any recommendations.

[Mike Josephic #3877]

The wheels crack from the plastic degrading from age and from heat.  I have a 73 Eldo.  Where they usually crack first is the so-called mold gate where the plastic is injected into the mold.  You will find a small hole on the backside of the wheel (towards the dash) and this is usually the first crack
since its the weakest area.

The wood trim is a plastic insert that was molded into a groove into the wheel.  Usually, due to time and temperature, it will lose its adhesion and start to pull out of its channel.

I cant see that clear coating would help this situation.
However, I dont have a better answer to solve the problem.
Depending how loose it is, an adhesive would be the best bet
to secure it back into the channel.  Something like the
crazy glue type (cyanoacrylates) should work.

Hope this helps,

Mike

[denise 20352]

    I would say that they crack from heat because plastic has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the metal ring inside does.  That would explain why they leave gaps where the cracks are...something has to give.

-denise

[Mike Josephic #3877]

Denise:

Sorry, I disagree -- The reason they crack is because
the plasticizers get baked out of the plastic over a
period of years.  These mainly are the butybenzyl-
phthalate types that give the polymer elasticity
and resistance to the effects of heat, aging and
sunlight (UV degradation).

If your theory was correct, they would crack in
less than a few months use.  Mike

[Lars Kneller 8246]

The clearing basically seals up the woodgrain part so it cant peal off.  So far so good for a couple years now.  He had to clear the paint to make it look shiny.  It hasnt been exposed to any uv light though, as Ive been restoring the car since 2000 and it hasnt been outside since then.  I am hopeful to be done with the car this coming summer.