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Refurbishing a deformed steering wheel

Discussion in '348/355' started by John M, Aug 8, 2017.

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  1. John M

    John M Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2004
    887
    Kentucky
    #1 John M, Aug 8, 2017
    Wondering if anyone has been down this road and have some pearls of wisdom to share?

    The situation is that my steering wheel is letting my interior down. The steering wheel in particular has deformed across the top. The right side of the top has separated where the top joins the wheel/horn area. And the top has become buckled up in the center. I want to preserve the original wheel as mine is blue and matches the dash.

    Also, to add to the difficulty, the airbag cover is deforming slightly with the side buckled outward.

    So was considering disassembly and getting it on the table. Using a heat gun to flatten the wheel top. Possibly ratchet strapping the center to pull it back together to bind the separation. And at a loss on what to do with the airbag cover deformation. Leather is good on all.

    Has anyone successfully refurbished one of these?
     
  2. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,813
    Lake Villa IL
    #2 INTMD8, Aug 8, 2017
    Sounds like the leather is shrinking and needs to be replaced.

    IMO anything you try to do to it otherwise will be a temporary fix.
     
  3. carnutdallas

    carnutdallas Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2010
    1,972
    Dallas Burbs
    Full Name:
    Rob
    #3 carnutdallas, Aug 8, 2017
    Pics please.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  4. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 18, 2008
    6,059
    Indio Ca/ Alberta
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    Grant
    #4 taz355, Aug 8, 2017
    No never tried good luck and keep us informed.
     
  5. John M

    John M Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2004
    887
    Kentucky
    #5 John M, Aug 9, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
    Full Name:
    Jeff B.
    #6 Miltonian, Aug 9, 2017
    I thought I read somewhere/sometime that the 355 steering wheel with airbag was the same as the Pontiac Firebird. No???
     
  7. John M

    John M Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2004
    887
    Kentucky
    #7 John M, Aug 9, 2017
    No...not that I am aware. Same wheel as a Ferrari 456. And I think a 456 wheel redyed to match will be the solution. Just ordered a non-deformed one on ebay. It is black leather covered. And I am going to reinforce those corners prior to install. Thoughts on the best way to do that welcome.

    Now to get the airbag loose. Mine has tamper torx but won't budge. Can anyone confirm the tamper torx driver size? I am thinking t27....but perhaps t25.... not for sure. Are they normal thread...lefty loosey?
     
  8. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
    16,047
    Orchard Park, NY
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    Dave Lelonek
    #8 Dave rocks, Aug 9, 2017
  9. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    23,903
    WI
    #9 WATSON, Aug 9, 2017
    +1.

    Call FerrParts or find one of their eBay listings and make a silly low offer. They want to move them out.

    The airbag may be more of a challenge though.
     
  10. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,741
    #10 Mitch Alsup, Aug 10, 2017
    One word:: Momo.
     
  11. junglistluder

    junglistluder F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 23, 2007
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    VA
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    Brendan
    #11 junglistluder, Aug 10, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

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