Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi there

Can anyone recommend a repairer for my steering wheel? It's an original Colin chapman one that I snapped inside on the rim getting out of the car. Guess it needs welding and new covering put on. Maybe leather?

Thanks

Kelvedon, recovered mine a few years back, did a great job.

http://www.kelsport.net

James

Len Chandler

business-listings-f3/reproduction-steering-wheels-t35172.html

John

I had the leather bound Steering wheel break on a car. I unpicked the stitching around half and slid the leather just off that half. Eased the padding off the rim. Got the broken part tig welded.
I then spent 2 hours to put padding and leather back in place.
Bought some strong thread and 2 needles. Restitched using original holes.
100% very happy and impossible to see the Wheel has had a repair.
Alan

john.p.clegg wrote:Len Chandler

business-listings-f3/reproduction-steering-wheels-t35172.html

John

+1

661 wrote:

john.p.clegg wrote:Len Chandler

business-listings-f3/reproduction-steering-wheels-t35172.html

John

+1

+2, quality job on mine

alan.barker wrote:I had the leather bound Steering wheel break on a car. I unpicked the stitching around half and slid the leather just off that half. Eased the padding off the rim. Got the broken part tig welded.
I then spent 2 hours to put padding and leather back in place.
Bought some strong thread and 2 needles. Restitched using original holes.
100% very happy and impossible to see the Wheel has had a repair.
Alan

Sorry to be a Job's comforter but as I understand it the strength of the weld needs to be precise in that too weak and it breaks in normal use and too strong and it might not break during an accident when it's supposed to and maybe cause an injury. Might be worth having it checked somehow??

I am lucky the friend that welded the break for me is a welding instructor. For sure it needs to be done right and not break like the original
Does Len just cover the wheels or does he weld them also.
Did the supplier do destructive tests for type approval.
Alan

alan.barker wrote:I am lucky the friend that welded the break for me is a welding instructor. For sure it needs to be done right and not break like the original
Does Len just cover the wheels or does he weld them also.
Did the supplier do destructive tests for type approval.
Alan

He got someone to weld mine and then covered it.
It can be touch and go as to whether a weld is feasible depending on the position, I'm told
He has also had some spokes remanufactured so a replacement may be possible if a weld isn't.
Best discuss your needs with him. He's a class operator.

I don't think a weld can be too strong because the parent metal determines the strength if the penetration of the weld is correct
Alan

>Did the supplier do destructive tests for type approval.
tests ??
type ... what ??
in the 60's ?

are you kidding ??