Steering wheel repair/replacement advice

[Earl]

The steering wheel on my Alphard is tatty on one side. Anyone replaced or repaired one?

I've found a secondhand one on eBay, but I'm a bit twitchy about taking the airbag off. I don't fancy a naff cover, I like the wooden styled rim.

[Rojie]

Hello again Earl,

 

I was just admiring your machine in your introduction post.

I didn't notice the leather on your steering wheel has split. What a shame.

 

Thanks for starting another thread with this topic.

I have a lot of 'wood' trim in my MZG, but you have even more than me. I'm jealous, well not quite.

 

I have some wear, nowhere as bad as yours, on my steering wheel; and I have just begun to look into having it repaired.

 

It's not particularly good news.

Apparently, special needles are required to redo leather steering wheels.

The company I looked at needed the steering wheel removing too.

What with air bags I don't really want to go there.

 

What I think I know, is that you need a specialist leather upholsterer to do this well.

 

What is the trim level on your vehicle.

 

Is it an Alphard V or Alphard G, (on the tailgate) ?

 

[Rojie]

 

 

I thought you might find this really interesting. Looks easy, or intimidating; depending on your point of view !

[Catweazle]

Sometimes you can get a cover that looks decent though. 

I was quite pleased with this, and it feels good too being thicker...

[Rojie]

3 hours ago, Catweazle said:

Sometimes you can get a cover that looks decent though. 

I was quite pleased with this, and it feels good too being thicker...

 

Hi Catweazle,

 

That steering wheel looks great, and I love those cushions.

 

How are you getting on with the cargo net ? I fancied one then began to think it was too small; but yours looks perfect.

 

Are those car seat covers I can see, or just an upholstery upgrade? I like the piping and the footrests.

A very nice looking interior. One of the best I have seen.

Thanks for the photos.

 

 

 

[Catweazle]

Thanks Rojie,

Very pleased with the car quality and I spend a fair bit of time looking after it.

The net is good for smaller/lighter loads..

I put all the 6 cushions up there max, but useful to dump your valuables when sleeping in the back.

We've done 5 nights in the back over 2 journeys and found it to be more comfortable than camp beds.

These pictures were taken after 3.5-4 hrs of cleaning and polishing inside and out.

They are gritting/salting the road again (4th time today) and I'm having kittens even though Krown rustproofed.

I've done 6000 miles in 6 months and it's not missed a beat apart from speed sensor replacement (10 mins work)

Supplied by Stuart Spencer Autos in Dudley who have been fantastic.

[Catweazle]

Forgot...

The seats and footrests are factory upholstery. This is the 3.0l MZ V late 2005. No rotating seats available.

[Rojie]

It's really nice,

I have 2006 MZG V version with leather upholstery everywhere, which I am about to clean properly.

Hopefully get it looking like new. Only needs the drivers squab and all the piping on the armrests.

I just put a kitchen in mine and have ordered some fancy seat cushions. Nor slept in her yet.

Waiting for my locking wheel nuts and rubber matting. (My never clean Collie just does not know how lucky he is).

 

Having got the kitchen fitted ; storage is a real challenge; especially when camped overnight.

I have included a fridge in the design, but will probably use a cooler instead.

I enjoy the Project as much as the driving.

 

I am aware of Stuart Spencer, he has nice vehicles on offer.

I have been looking at another MZG he has.

[Catweazle]

I like the idea of a camper conversion too, but I want to keep as much seating as possible and the ability to cart Electric bikes in when needed.

We must have the same grade cars but from the different Jap traders (MZ G vs MZ V) I wonder if it's just leather vs Cloth?

I went Stuart Spencer mostly because they offer 2 year warranty and underseal which I've never seen on second hand cars before....

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, Catweazle said:

I like the idea of a camper conversion too, but I want to keep as much seating as possible and the ability to cart Electric bikes in when needed.

We must have the same grade cars but from the different Jap traders (MZ G vs MZ V) I wonder if it's just leather vs Cloth?

I went Stuart Spencer mostly because they offer 2 year warranty and underseal which I've never seen on second hand cars before....

 

I guess this depends on how many people and bikes you need to carry.

If you take the rear seats out you will have room for a rear kitchen or small bikes inside; and still four seats.

With a rear kitchen and bikes outside you still have a very comfortable 4 seater.

However, you will only be able to sleep two adults, and maybe one child across the rear (kitchen) bench seats (if you use the front seats down for sleeping).

If you use the middle seats and rear bench seats for sleeping, you could have one child across the front seats

Unless you go for a pop top; which offers many more permutations.

Hopefully you can understand all this gibberish. Otherwise send me a PM.

Of course, you can always consider a side kitchen which give far more storage, usually at the cost of a narrow sleeping area.

[AlphardZA]

@Earl try a steering wheel from a toyota land cruiser Prado, not sure if it will be the same color as yours but the steering wheel looks exactly the same, I have the greyish interior and the Prado wheel looks exactly like mine. 

[OldWellhouse]

On 11/27/2021 at 6:45 PM, Catweazle said:

Sometimes you can get a cover that looks decent though. 

I was quite pleased with this, and it feels good too being thicker...

That looks great, it matches the upholstery well. Do you mind me asking where you got it from?

[Catweazle]

It was an Amazon jobby:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07K1FCMYL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Definitely get it nice and warm before you try and put it on!