Wrapped steering wheels

I hate my leather wrapped steering wheel and prefer a polyurethane type. Question: for those of you who have older steering wheels with wear (peeling, smooth, etc) has anyone just removed the cover?

What does the steering wheel look like underneath? Is it like an unwrapped textured wheel?

I would swap my covered s-w with on of these

 

I too am frustrated with my leather wrapped wheel on my 2015,

It is way to easy to damage and I have a section that my fingernail cut into accidentally and it just peels and peels. It's quite the eye-sore.

I may just see what the cost of for the base model wheel.

 

I think it may be just hard foam underneath.

 

Turns out the non- leather wheel is a touch over 220 bucks.

Hmm....

I just can't believe how bad the grey on the leather is just peeling off!

 

I plan on getting thin paracord and snake-pattern the heck out of it (when it turns into crap).

 

Do you use hand lotion often? I detail cars and one of the telltale signs that the driver frequently moisturizes, is that the steering wheels and door grab handles fall apart way too early. Certain lotions cause plastics and synthetic materials to almost melt.

 

Really? I wear a fast absorbing lotion every day and see none of this type of wear after almost 70,000mi in hot California Sun.

I'm using Aerospace 303 to try and maintain it.

I only ask cause I've taken a bit of an endearment to detailing as my truck ages, always interested in more info.

 

It'll depend on the type of lotion and if you're good about regularly cleaning those surfaces with soap and water.

Women's cars are the WORST. Lotion on EVERYTHING, basically combining with dirt to form a brown concrete. I've never lost so much time on a job than when I have to detail the interior of a car owned by a woman.

LOL

 

I can say that I use a real thick lotion on my knuckles as I have been a diabetic forever and the Drs are always harping on not letting your hands and feet get dry and such. It's from Bath and Body Works. It smells like suntan lotion. Has a bunch of shea butter in it I think. But the catch is I have been using that lotion and it alone for almost 20 years. I had a swapped EG Honda Civic Hatch and an RSX-S both with leather wrapped factory wheels and never saw this.

 

im willing to pay 220$ for a non leather steering wheel. How hard could it be to swap them out?

 

Well it's 223 plus whatever shipping. There may be a member here that can sell it less to us?

http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/to...steering-wheel-scat/?part_name=steering-wheel

You just need to know how do properly stop the electrical circuit in the vehicle and then follow the instructions to remove the air bag.

Your controls and such will swap over... I am pretty sure of that.

I added factory cruise to my 2013 RC Auto and it was easy.

Last thing is the wheel will have threaded holes for a puller if needed, I haven't needed one in years but have only removed wheels from Honda, Acura and Toyota vehicles.

My trick was loosen the nit holding it on but leave it on there, then I would tap on the shaft with a small sledge, like a 3lb I think. It usually does the trick,
Oh and don't forget to use some touch-up paint or a silver sharpie and mark the orientation of the splines/wheel etc...
I had to R&R a wheel because I didn't do that.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Steering-Wheel-Covers/b?ie=UTF8&node=15737161

just saying?

 

Appreciate the recommendation but I've never been good at lacing on a nice cover and to me they always look bad.

I take that back, I had one that looked really nice and it was the black leather cover that I was able to lacs onto my 1985 Toyota SR5 pickup trucks wheel.

 

Redlinegoods has a custom fit 2012+ wheel wrap for ~$116. Looks like it requires a full tear down of the old wheel and stock "leather" cover to install the new one, so probably not a fun install. But to be honest that is way better than those crap looking Katzkin covers that you lace directly on the wheel.

http://www.redlinegoods.com/Tacoma05shiftboot.php

I'm not a big fan of the plastic base model wheels. To me they are too slick/lack grip. But I guess it's better than a flaky wheel.

 

If youre looking for an economical and functional wrap, I re-wrapped mine with bicycle handlebar wrap. Cost $80 and took about an hour. Its very comfortable (its padded) on the hands and has excellent grip. Aesthetics are questionable.

 

I feel you man, my steering wheel looks like from the 90's and it's only 5 years old

 

I will give this a try: check it out http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=681976

 

I bet if you put a thread up wanting to swap wheels, someone nearby with a base model wheel would gladly trade you for your leather one.

 

I would trade in a heartbeat however mine looks pretty bad I think.

I may list something looking for a swap. Appreciate the idea.