My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: Squishymonster on November 20, 2019, 06:01:17 PM

Title: steering wheel resin repair
Post by: Squishymonster on November 20, 2019, 06:01:17 PM

Has anyone tried any resin or epoxy based repairs on old steering wheels? Mine is pretty cracked up and has a rough surface. I am wondering if it would be worth trying to use one of these kits. I don't want to do anything that requires mold making though.

I am also curious how the resin / epoxy repair would work for shift knobs and other black plastic parts.

Title: Re: steering wheel resin repair
Post by: oldtime on November 20, 2019, 07:34:49 PM

I've filled steer wheel cracks with body putty.
No added strength but it looks smooth as can be.

Title: Re: steering wheel resin repair
Post by: Rus Curtis on November 20, 2019, 09:21:00 PM

I haven't used anything to repair cracks or missing material around the spokes, but I did fill in the center section on an aftermarket wheel way back when.  There was a shallow cavity all the way around the splined center (no doubt from the molding process) and I used JB Weld to fill that up.  Sanded/painted. 

I used Plasti Dip on the transfer case knobs as they looked like a chipmunk had been chewing on them.  Then I had this whole thing about needing to get them off to slide the shift boot on (ended up using a vise).  Found nice replacements.

Title: Re: steering wheel resin repair
Post by: SteveKfl on November 21, 2019, 07:25:28 AM

I too used JB Weld for hub/spoke cracks from "wheel removal stressed" to release.  I made the 3 cracks a little larger to get into the area deeply and out the bottom side too.  Easy to sand primer and paint.  See attached...

Title: Re: steering wheel resin repair
Post by: squidtone on November 22, 2019, 11:19:30 PM

I'll throw in my vote for JB weld too. I had 1/8" cracks on each spoke plus lots of other smaller ones. I ground them out a bit, filled them, wrapped them with tape to keep the runny JB weld from dripping out, then sanded away. I used files for the heavy excess removal.
Of note, I painted the wheel with 2 part black gloss paint from NAPA. The wheel still had hairline cracks, but I wasn't going to bother with every single crack. Those hairlines show through, but it's not a big deal and it looks darn good.

Title: Re: steering wheel resin repair
Post by: Squishymonster on November 23, 2019, 12:42:34 AM

Wow, great results you guys. I guess I'm convinced.  I'll give this a shot. The tape trick sounds good too.