Same here! The worn OEM wrap gets sticky...I guess from all the white knuckle driving over the years
Series 100 Steering Wheel Core
- Thread starter jwurster
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Same here! The worn OEM wrap gets sticky...I guess from all the white knuckle driving over the years
Whaaaaat? He quoted me $350 for OEM look with perforated leather and $300 if the perforated leather wasn't available. Is yours a LC or LX?
Is this a common problem with steering wheels? Is it mainly in hot climates? My 1998 had 331k miles on it when I sold it and the original steering wheel was in good shape. It lived in a cold climate it's whole life though.
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I just got my '03 on Friday, lived it's whole life up north (Long Island) until I bought it, steering wheel isn't shredded but the top is a bit rough and sticky.
I'm not sure. My 1998 has 137k on it and just the 12 o'clock has a little wear. A 1999 I'm trying to refurb a little bit has 140k and has a bit more wear in it. I think if you keep them wiped down and aren't squeezing rings onto the leather, should last a very long time. As durable as leather is, dirt / oils is what will wear it the most.
Mine was an LC wheel and it was $320 total including shipping. Keep in mind it was the very standard dark gray color, no perfs, no extra padding.
Mine was the victim of the PO who must have worn a ring that dug into the very top. Over time it was too rough. Otherwise in very good condition. I think the sun is one of the biggest problems. Dirt and sweat next. Keep it in the shade (use a windscreen shade), clean and conditioned and 15 years is very doable. 10 years no problem. UV is the enemy of interiors !!
^The factory glass came with a pretty high UV reduction if I recall. I don't how that translates to leather protection, but mine seems to be holding up pretty well in Texas. And all nearly the cars I've seen with ragged leather have been dirty.... So, I respectfully disagree 
150k on our 99 and the steering wheel is still in great shape relatively speaking. Some of the coating on the leather has chipped off only on the top part but other than that it is in great shape. I'd love to recover it still with an extra bit of padding, I think it would be nearly perfect then!
But, I did find this wheel on ebay that I like - it would match the faux wood trim too:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111316665972?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
But, I did find this wheel on ebay that I like - it would match the faux wood trim too:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111316665972?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
So......did he meet your expectations ? Curious....
I should have the wheel in hand in 3-4 days; but judging from numerous photos Donald sent to me this AM: Yes! Thanks again for your referral!
My wheel was exposed to Vegas sun it's whole life, caused a little bubbling on the top. I just went to Lexus dealer and bought a skin and stretched it over the wheel. I love it because it is thick, great feel. JMHO
Jay DeShelter aka Snook asked me about the color difference, if any, between my old "brown" OEM steering wheel and the new leather job from Dallas Custom Steering Wheel. FedEx just left the new leather wrapped wheel at our doorstep: The new leather is non-gloss, stain and/or near flat in sheen whereas the OEM wheel has a very shiny finish (don't care for the shiny truth be known...).
The old leather wheel as you can see ('96 80-Series wheel in these photos for compare as its color was identical to my '99 OEM wheel cover color) is slightly more red whereas the new leather is more gray or taupe in color. I'm fine with either actually but for those that wanted to know here's the comparison photos.
The old leather wheel as you can see ('96 80-Series wheel in these photos for compare as its color was identical to my '99 OEM wheel cover color) is slightly more red whereas the new leather is more gray or taupe in color. I'm fine with either actually but for those that wanted to know here's the comparison photos.
My old wheel didn't look shiny like that at all. Maybe someone used a lot of leather conditioner on it or something? No idea. My color match was almost perfect. Your new wheel's color looks to almost perfectly match the plastic covers, which is how it should be, IMHO.
Hope you're not disappointed.
Hope you're not disappointed.
^ I'm very happy with Donald's job; he guarantees satisfaction too! I've never used anything on the steering wheel except Meguires Interior Quick Detail...been using it on all my 2 and 4 wheelers for over 2-decades; it does not impart a shiny artificial "ArmorAl" look to it but rather it leaves an invisible protectant...
I just got in from installing the plastic trim and into the rig and the new leather matches the steering wheel trim pieces @ 95% including the flat finish too and that's good enough for me...better than OEM! 
FWIW the '96 80-Series LC wheel matched my OEM '99 LC wheel in color, texture and sheen. The OEM wheels (80 and my 100) don't even look/feel like leather...more like noggyhide.
Maybe Toyota changed the finish and color match to the better for subsequent years...who knows.
I just got in from installing the plastic trim and into the rig and the new leather matches the steering wheel trim pieces @ 95% including the flat finish too and that's good enough for me
...better than OEM! FWIW the '96 80-Series LC wheel matched my OEM '99 LC wheel in color, texture and sheen. The OEM wheels (80 and my 100) don't even look/feel like leather...more like noggyhide.
Maybe Toyota changed the finish and color match to the better for subsequent years...who knows.
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