RE: IML: 58 Imperial: steering wheel questions

["Donn Reese" <DReese@xxxxxxxx>]

Someone having a spare wheel laying around is a rare thing but you never know.

As for repairing your original one there are a few vendors out there that do restorations, one is: http://www.imperialclub.com/Part/Vendors/DD.htm.

There are others, a more thorough internet search will yield further results, try "steering wheel restoration" in your favorite search engine.

The OIC site repair section discusses some other vendors, you'll have to weed your way through the DIY portions.  I don't feel "gutsy" enough to try a wheel restoration either.: http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Steering/wheel.htm

As for removing your wheel, it's usually fairly straight forward.  There should be a couple/few screws on the back side of the wheel that hold the center pad on.  Remove the screws, then the pad will come off.  (I've never looked closely at a '58, I'm going from memory on my '60 and '62).

You'll then need a wheel puller - although I have had wheels come off easily with a little back and forth torqueing on it while pulling with just your hands (after removing the wheel nuts of course).

A steering wheel puller from your local auto parts store should do the trick, but again check with the OIC site for the experience of others.

The costs for restoring a wheel seem to run above $1,000.  I've seen one or two NOS wheels go for about the same price.

There is some discussion about a recast wheel frequently having a somewhat larger diameter to the plastic than original, something to discuss with a vendor depending upon your concerns of remaining truly stock.

Good luck.  This is an area I need to tackle too.  I can flake off the plastic from my wheel with my finger nail.

Donn Reese
1960 Custom 4dr hdtp



-----Original Message-----



Folks, I need some help to find the best solution to my all but gone 58's
steering wheel.

1.  Does anyone have a spare they might be willing to sell?  E-mail me at:
imperial58@xxxxxxxxxxx with this reply.

2.  How much will it cost, more or less, to get mine restored.  I'd say half
the acrylic plastic is gone and the rest seems to have crystallized and is
flaking off.  I know there are restoration kits available but I doubt I have
the ability to do the job.

3.  How do you get the wheel off.  I've never looked at mine but I know it
has a padded shallow veer piece where the wheel attaches.

4.  What can I use as a substitute while mine is out of the car.  It would
be nice to have something of similar vintage or at least size.

Thanks in advance,

Hugh
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
This electronic communication (including all attachments) is intended only for the named addressee(s) and may contain confidential information. It has not passed through our standard review process. Design data and recommendations included herein are provided as a matter of convenience and should not be used for final design. RELY ONLY ON THE FINAL HARDCOPY MATERIALS BEARING THE CONSULTANT'S ORIGINAL SIGNATURE AND SEAL. If you are not the named addressee(s), any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete the original communication from your system.
This e-mail and all other electronic (including voice) communications from the sender's firm are not intended by the sender to constitute an electronic record, an electronic signature or any agreement to conduct a transaction by electronic means. Any such intention or agreement is hereby expressly disclaimed unless otherwise specifically indicated.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm