420 - LSE Steering wheel replacement

[JCM 9,215]

The original steering wheel has always bothered me that someone could actually let this chrome and leather steering wheel get in the condition it is in. Two weeks ago I contacted a company that I have done business with since the mid 70's for parts for  two muscle cars I have owned over the years. Dealing with people over the phone back in the 70's sure isn't like it is in today's world. It took three people to complete the order and still, like the Rolling Stones song, you can't always get what you want. I asked three times if in fact as the picture shows on their website 3 spokes with 4 holes in each spoke with either vinyl or foam covering on the wheel which I opted for the vinyl, leather was not an option but for now better than what I have been looking at for years. The diameter is close enough albeit slightly smaller, no big deal. Looking at the way the vinyl comes down the spokes slightly is there a 4th hole under there ? Not willing to ruin the vinyl just in case there isn't, again no big deal. I think it looks waaaayy better than the original one and will put that in a safe place for now. I do have someone I think would replace the leather wrap who recovered the 2 armrests after I bought it because of the condition they were in. The biggest issue is getting the wheel itself rechromed which I would do if someone was willing to undertake that task.   Questions, comments ?       Thanks Guy's

[ebinmaine 67,766]

Is there a powder coating that's actual chrome colored?

 

 

[JCM 9,215]

Not sure on that one EB ?

[ebinmaine 67,766]

Check on sites like Hagerty or Hemmings for trusted classic car chrome shops.   

 

 

 

 

[MainelyWheelhorse 506]

@JCM If it's polished metal like aluminum or stainless there's a Brass/Stainless/Aluminum polish called Brasso that works excellent. I polished an old brass fire extinguisher with it and I could see myself in it when I was done.

[c-series don 8,737]

I  can’t tell you where to get your wheel rechromed but I can tell you that the new one looks pretty darn nice! 

[ri702bill 8,387]

That original Steering Wheel appears to have come from Grant Industries in California.

 

The hub on my OE Kelch Steering Wheel on the C 81 failed during use several years back - complete loss of steering control!!

I bought a suitable Grant Wheel and Installation Kit, made a shaft adapter - No more issues. Give them a call...

 

 

[kpinnc 12,175]

I think it looks great! 
 

I always took issue with the 420LSE model, because of my belief that tractors are made to work, not be static displays. Don’t get me wrong, they should be well maintained and cared for- but are meant to be used. 
 

Use them, clean them up and put them up proper. Keep up the maintenance and they last forever. 

Edited Sunday at 09:29 AM by kpinnc

[ebinmaine 67,766]

11 hours ago, JCM said:

Looking at the way the vinyl comes down the spokes slightly is there a 4th hole under there ?

 

Agreed. 

 

Can you feel a depression there?

 

If so, I'd cut the vinyl with a good sharp hobby knife 🔪   

[JCM 9,215]

6 hours ago, ri702bill said:

That original Steering Wheel appears to have come from Grant Industries in California.

 

The hub on my OE Kelch Steering Wheel on the C 81 failed during use several years back - complete loss of steering control!!

I bought a suitable Grant Wheel and Installation Kit, made a shaft adapter - No more issues. Give them a call...

 

 

 

@ri702bill    That new steering wheel is a Grant. The original one is stamped the ''500''  Superior Performance Products with a small sticker with 03886 ct  Made in Canada. Thanks for the info. 

 

[JCM 9,215]

I did try that @ebinmaine and can't feel a depression.

[ebinmaine 67,766]

3 minutes ago, JCM said:

I did try that @ebinmaine and can't feel a depression.

 

Might be worth contacting the vendor and letting them know you didn't get what you specifically asked for. 

 

[JCM 9,215]

I had planned on doing just that. But, my whole 66 years seems to be riddled with experiences like that with all my hobbies. I am  really just tired of all of it. A lot of it is from having my own business for almost 40 years dealing with many vendors and just about done with most things. Time to sit in the chair with the remote.

[ebinmaine 67,766]

5 minutes ago, JCM said:

I had planned on doing just that. But, my whole 66 years seems to be riddled with experiences like that with all my hobbies. I am  really just tired of all of it. A lot of it is from having my own business for almost 40 years dealing with many vendors and just about done with most things. Time to sit in the chair with the remote.

 

 

Absolutely understandable.  

 

Particularly tough nowadays because of current market and lack of technical support with the old school base knowledge that various careers used to have.  

 

 

[c-series don 8,737]

@JCM With the remote and your friends here on Red Square!! 

[JCM 9,215]

I'm not giving up on RS just yet  @c-series don

[mrc 818]

hi jcm,

 

i will second what c-series don said.  the new wheel looks great.  personally i would not sweat it.

 

however, if it is keeping you up at night i would be happy to relieve you of your 420LSE burden.    (just kidding)

 

best regards

mike

[rmaynard 15,535]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Absolutely understandable.  

 

Particularly tough nowadays because of current market and lack of technical support with the old school base knowledge that various careers used to have.  

 

With the new generation, I hope they are allowed to use their phones to translate. if anything is written in cursive, they are lost.

[lynnmor 7,321]

Try using a pencil magnet to see if there is difference in attraction where the fourth hole might be.

[Pullstart 62,950]

14 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

Try using a pencil magnet to see if there is difference in attraction where the fourth hole might be.

I was thinking a small rare earth magnet.  Maybe even stick a magnet to the spoke, and sprinkle some metal dust over the vinyl.  Start on the back side maybe?

[lynnmor 7,321]

7 hours ago, Pullstart said:

I was thinking a small rare earth magnet.  Maybe even stick a magnet to the spoke, and sprinkle some metal dust over the vinyl.  Start on the back side maybe?

 

7 hours ago, Pullstart said:

I was thinking a small rare earth magnet.  Maybe even stick a magnet to the spoke, and sprinkle some metal dust over the vinyl.  Start on the back side maybe?

That would likely work if one were to use fine iron or steel dust.

[kpinnc 12,175]

9 hours ago, JCM said:

almost 40 years dealing with many vendors

I may not be very helpful posting this, but I found what looks very close to original (minus the wrap) on the jungle site:

 

Grant steering wheel

Edited Sunday at 10:51 PM by kpinnc

[JCM 9,215]

I looked there after your post but found the exact wheel , Grant # 277 with the wrap. It shows the 3 spoke with 4 holes in each spoke. I not sure what is going on. I may have to call and find out what's up. Would prefer the 4 hole even if I have to hang the new one on the wall in the shop and get the one I ordered.  Thank You @kpinnc

[Darrenw85 619]

Here is a chrome place I've used for a few things over the years.  It's a Father Son business and I was pleased with their work and price. They may be able to re-chrome the steering wheel.  Calling on the phone isn't a problem with these guys. 

 

 

 

[squonk 41,171]

13 hours ago, JCM said:

I looked there after your post but found the exact wheel , Grant # 277 with the wrap. It shows the 3 spoke with 4 holes in each spoke. I not sure what is going on. I may have to call and find out what's up. Would prefer the 4 hole even if I have to hang the new one on the wall in the shop and get the one I ordered.  Thank You @kpinnc

More than likely the vendor Grant used to make the wheels changed and they didn't update the picture.

 

Before my Napa days I worked in a factory for a while that made AC accumulators for Ford. We made the OEM ones and an "aftermarket " one that had a little different size to the can. Then we lost the contract to make the aftermarket ones to another factory. 

 

Later on at Napa I had a garage that needed an accumulator. I looked up the # and when it came in it wasn't the one from the factory I worked at. But the picture of it in the book was the one we built.