sorry if this sounds crazy but, why can't we just make a damn wood steering wheel?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 323
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles, CA. USA
2013 c250
sorry if this sounds crazy but, why can't we just make a damn wood steering wheel?
I came to this forum to DIY. So far, I've repaired two oil leaks saving me about a grand!
Now I wanna take some money I saved and get a wood steering wheel, but prices are on a stealership level. Why can't I just find the wood pieces (like in pic below), chop my steering wheel in half, and weld/glue/duct tape (j/k) these fckers in? Has anyone ever done this? Seems like it'd save a hell of a lot of money to only buy the wood, and save time on installation not having to take off and put back on the entire steering wheel and reinstall the air bag, save time not having to resell my OEM, save time not waiting 4 weeks for somebody else to do it...
I guess what I'm asking is how hard is this shlt?
Attachment 447253
Now I wanna take some money I saved and get a wood steering wheel, but prices are on a stealership level. Why can't I just find the wood pieces (like in pic below), chop my steering wheel in half, and weld/glue/duct tape (j/k) these fckers in? Has anyone ever done this? Seems like it'd save a hell of a lot of money to only buy the wood, and save time on installation not having to take off and put back on the entire steering wheel and reinstall the air bag, save time not having to resell my OEM, save time not waiting 4 weeks for somebody else to do it...
I guess what I'm asking is how hard is this shlt? Attachment 447253
Last edited by scottonfire; Jan 8, 2014 at 11:09 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
I came to this forum to DIY. So far, I've repaired two oil leaks saving me about a grand!
Now I wanna take some money I saved and get a wood steering wheel, but prices are on a stealership level. Why can't I just find the wood pieces (like in pic below), chop my steering wheel in half, and weld/glue/duct tape (j/k) these fckers in? Has anyone ever done this? Seems like it'd save a hell of a lot of money to only buy the wood, and save time on installation not having to take off and put back on the entire steering wheel and reinstall the air bag, save time not having to resell my OEM, save time not waiting 4 weeks for somebody else to do it... I guess what I'm asking is how hard is this shlt?
Now I wanna take some money I saved and get a wood steering wheel, but prices are on a stealership level. Why can't I just find the wood pieces (like in pic below), chop my steering wheel in half, and weld/glue/duct tape (j/k) these fckers in? Has anyone ever done this? Seems like it'd save a hell of a lot of money to only buy the wood, and save time on installation not having to take off and put back on the entire steering wheel and reinstall the air bag, save time not having to resell my OEM, save time not waiting 4 weeks for somebody else to do it...
I guess what I'm asking is how hard is this shlt? I'm thinking it's a lot harder than you think. I'd also be surprised if that's real wood on that wheel you like...likely some molded plastic made to look like wood.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Welcome to the joys of modding your Benz. Deep pockets, creative solutions, and customization are necessary; aftermarket support just isn't there like it is for Porsche, Audi, BMW, Honda, even Lexus. Lot of old codgers driving these cars who have no interest in mods.
You'd have to get the wood to work around the inner metal rim of the steering wheel I'd imagine, get the wood to look normal where it meets the leather, etc. I'd agree with ER; I would not classify it as a DIY at all.
But hey, you never know til you try...
You'd have to get the wood to work around the inner metal rim of the steering wheel I'd imagine, get the wood to look normal where it meets the leather, etc. I'd agree with ER; I would not classify it as a DIY at all.
But hey, you never know til you try...
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 10
From: Thessaloniki, Greece
Clk 200k cabrio w209, Jeep Crand Cherokee 3.0 CRD, Smart For two
I came to this forum to DIY. So far, I've repaired two oil leaks saving me about a grand!
Now I wanna take some money I saved and get a wood steering wheel, but prices are on a stealership level. Why can't I just find the wood pieces (like in pic below), chop my steering wheel in half, and weld/glue/duct tape (j/k) these fckers in? Has anyone ever done this? Seems like it'd save a hell of a lot of money to only buy the wood, and save time on installation not having to take off and put back on the entire steering wheel and reinstall the air bag, save time not having to resell my OEM, save time not waiting 4 weeks for somebody else to do it... I guess what I'm asking is how hard is this shlt?
Now I wanna take some money I saved and get a wood steering wheel, but prices are on a stealership level. Why can't I just find the wood pieces (like in pic below), chop my steering wheel in half, and weld/glue/duct tape (j/k) these fckers in? Has anyone ever done this? Seems like it'd save a hell of a lot of money to only buy the wood, and save time on installation not having to take off and put back on the entire steering wheel and reinstall the air bag, save time not having to resell my OEM, save time not waiting 4 weeks for somebody else to do it...
I guess what I'm asking is how hard is this shlt? 
Last edited by gogos; Jan 9, 2014 at 01:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 323
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles, CA. USA
2013 c250
You can do it as a DIY. I have make a wood/leader steering wheel for my W209. It tooks me5 days. First you have to take off the leader and the soft material from where you want to replacewith wood. Inside there is a cross shape aluminium cycle. Between the leader and the wood I plece four round pieces from aluminium and I will wrap ther with 3M carbon. The most difficult part was the fabrication of the four wood pieces. I make the 80% of the round shape on a millI and the rest by hand. You must work with no rush at all. I didn't finished it yet because I have no time. Now that you remined it to me I will start again. If I start it now I would have made it flat bottom. More easy and sporty. You can check the only pics I found. If you need any info let me know.
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 10
From: Thessaloniki, Greece
Clk 200k cabrio w209, Jeep Crand Cherokee 3.0 CRD, Smart For two
If you like DIY give it a try.
I am a
DIY'er. Till now to my CLK200K W209 I have:1. Upgrade the stock breaks with the 6-4 pistons calipers from the S-class.
2. Port the M45 supercharger.
3. Retrofit Command 2.0 with the bose amp from W208.
4. Retrofit the front seats with the seats from the W207 and many other smaller mods.
PS: Sorry for my english. I am trying my best.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
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From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
Gogos, great job!
So did you cut the aluminum core from the steering wheel and then attach the wooden pieces to the core using those cylinders?
Do I understand right that there is no metal reinforcement inside the wooden pieces? (I guess this is probably how OEM wheels are done anyway)
So did you cut the aluminum core from the steering wheel and then attach the wooden pieces to the core using those cylinders?
Do I understand right that there is no metal reinforcement inside the wooden pieces? (I guess this is probably how OEM wheels are done anyway)
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I don't think that's true; there must be a central ring around the full steering wheel or some kind of reinforcement.
Nothing against gogos, but I wouldn't want to have my face hitting that steering wheel at any speed with it compromised like that. And I'm sure that would not pass US inspection anyway.
Nothing against gogos, but I wouldn't want to have my face hitting that steering wheel at any speed with it compromised like that. And I'm sure that would not pass US inspection anyway.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
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From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
I guess it's possible to prepare a rounded wooden piece, then cut it in half, drill out the center, and glue back over the original aluminum structure then. A lot of work...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
My thinking of the cross-section would be (from the center out):
Metal wire core
Padding (basically a filler to the outside)
Thin wood veneer
Varnish (several coats) - that would be where you'd get the outside hardness from, not the wood itself
I've been wrong once or twice in my life before, though.
Interesting write-up: http://secondchancegarage.com/public/93.cfm
Though that's really old school.
Metal wire core
Padding (basically a filler to the outside)
Thin wood veneer
Varnish (several coats) - that would be where you'd get the outside hardness from, not the wood itself
I've been wrong once or twice in my life before, though.
Interesting write-up: http://secondchancegarage.com/public/93.cfm
Though that's really old school.
Last edited by tommy; Jan 9, 2014 at 04:39 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
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From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
I'm wondering if one can source a beat-up wheel for $30-40. It's really interesting to see what it's made of. Although with the "generosity" of auto manufacturers of today, tommy's thinking sounds extremely plausible.
A video showing how a conventional wheel is made:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_buXKx0fQg
A video showing how a conventional wheel is made:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_buXKx0fQg
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 10
From: Thessaloniki, Greece
Clk 200k cabrio w209, Jeep Crand Cherokee 3.0 CRD, Smart For two
I kept the aluminium OEM cross shape structure and on it i glue the wooden pieces. Nothing has been changed to the inner structure regarding the safety. I only remove the leather section with the soft material that I wanted to replace with wood. With the epoxy glue that I use the pieces had stuck together in one piece. This is the way how all the steering wheel that has real wood are made. Unfortunatly the project has been done one year ago and I didn't keep any other pics. Now I will give it to a pro inorder to lack it. Only on flat bottom steering wheel you have to cut the inner structure.
I found a wooden/leather steering wheel fot 250€, but I wanted to make my custom one the way I like it.
Everything can be done, if you wanted to do it. All you need is time and in some cases money.
I found a wooden/leather steering wheel fot 250€, but I wanted to make my custom one the way I like it.
Everything can be done, if you wanted to do it. All you need is time and in some cases money.
Last edited by gogos; Jan 10, 2014 at 09:55 AM.
