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Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:29 pm

I have an original German steering wheel that needs restoration. I'm wondering if any of you know where to start searching for someone with this skill...and your opinions on how much it would cost....whether it is worth it or not.

Thanks!

Kathy

Here's some pics....

Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:39 pm

everyone is gonna say Koch's Steering Wheel Restoration, not sure the cost but I have heard it is worth it.

I did my own, it is pretty simple but time consuming. isnt perfect but a lot nicer than it was. here is the site that helped me thru it.
http://www.thebugshop.org/bsfqstrg.htm

more info

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search..._chars=200

Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:53 pm

Thanks a bunch!

Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:25 pm

you might want to find a good candidate its tough to repair one when you have crack running through the ridges on that one. I think Kochs is running about $225 to repair one . or u can just get his repops..

Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:56 pm

Kathy,
Koch all the way. I have seen his work and it's perfect. I will be taking mine to him soon.

As far as cost, I'm not really sure. Give him a call (661) 268-1341

Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:48 pm

To the best of my knowledge Koch's takes the wheel down to the metal framing and recasts everything so the condition doesn't matter unless the actual frame or center hub is damaged.

I haven't bought one myself (yet).

Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:11 pm

Wow royDHPNM,
Thanks this is an awesome link. I love that is covers every step. But will the paint come off as it is used?

royDHPNM wrote: everyone is gonna say Koch's Steering Wheel Restoration, not sure the cost but I have heard it is worth it.

I did my own, it is pretty simple but time consuming. isnt perfect but a lot nicer than it was. here is the site that helped me thru it.
http://www.thebugshop.org/bsfqstrg.htm

more info

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search..._chars=200

I also like how Koch takes it back to the metal frame and recasts, thanks Everett.

EverettB wrote: To the best of my knowledge Koch's takes the wheel down to the metal framing and recasts everything so the condition doesn't matter unless the actual frame or center hub is damaged.

I haven't bought one myself (yet).

Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:17 pm

Linda Grunthaner wrote: Wow royDHPNM,
Thanks this is an awesome link. I love that is covers every step. But will the paint come off as it is used?

sure it will eventually, I painted my bug wheel like two yrs ago, still holding up and that was just spray cans. if you use primer and good paint with a couple of coats I think you should be OK for a few years.
here is my bug wheel and it still looks good after two yrs.

Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:15 am

I appreciate it. I e-mailed Kochs and it would cost $300 to restore. Does anyone happen to know if my wheel is original to the 67 split window bus?

Thanks.

Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:22 am

That wheel was the same for all buses from 67 back to 55. They were black or white (so to speak) depending on your model. Koch's knows their stuff when it comes to steering wheels. I wouldn't hesitate if you are in the market and don't want to attempt it yourself.

Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:15 pm

Koch's, or do it yourself. Just don't buy a flat4 or similar repop.IMO, They are flimsy, cheap and flex/feel wrong when mounted. I've used koch's for years and have never been disappointed. Great workmanship and staff as well. Talk to Reuben there :wink: .

Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:32 pm

Just for reference my friend had Koch's restore a steering wheel and it arrived with a hairline crack. He sent it back and got another, which cracked within a week of having it. Not going to send this one back (takes awhile to get one).

I think it has to do with the lack of moisture in Colorado versus where they are being recast.

Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:55 pm

Ian wrote: Just for reference my friend had Koch's restore a steering wheel and it arrived with a hairline crack. He sent it back and got another, which cracked within a week of having it. Not going to send this one back (takes awhile to get one).

I think it has to do with the lack of moisture in Colorado versus where they are being recast. Hmmm... not sure oabut the lack of moisture thing. They are in the valencia area, been to the shop a few times and believe me, its bone dry desert-like out there most of the time. Maybe those wheels were done when they were refinishing cores instead of the way they recast them now?... anyway, Bob and reuben are good guys and I'm sure they'd replace it for you (him). Dave

Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:36 pm

Dave24 wrote: Ian wrote: Just for reference my friend had Koch's restore a steering wheel and it arrived with a hairline crack. He sent it back and got another, which cracked within a week of having it. Not going to send this one back (takes awhile to get one).

I think it has to do with the lack of moisture in Colorado versus where they are being recast. Hmmm... not sure oabut the lack of moisture thing. They are in the valencia area, been to the shop a few times and believe me, its bone dry desert-like out there most of the time. Maybe those wheels were done when they were refinishing cores instead of the way they recast them now?... anyway, Bob and reuben are good guys and I'm sure they'd replace it for you (him). Dave

The crack is so small my friend doesn't care. The wheel is top-notch otherwise, and they did replace it once so I figure it's something on our end.

Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:57 pm

Is it worth it to spend $300 to restore the wheel? What is the resale value of these? Does anyone know?

Thanks in advance,

Kathy

Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:52 pm

The last good used OG steering wheel I bought was $20. No pieces are missing from it, some slight cracks that keep getting bigger however.

If you spend $300 on the Koch's wheel you had better be keeping it.

Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:57 pm

kvaluesnservice wrote: Is it worth it to spend $300 to restore the wheel? What is the resale value of these? Does anyone know?

Thanks in advance,

Kathy Ahhhhh... Well if you have it restored and try to resell for profit, you won't make any $$. As a core, worth $20-40.And if you do an amatuer (sp?) resto/ paint, it won't be worth much more than core value. I got the impression it was for your use, not to flip.

Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:20 pm

Quote: Ahhhhh... Well if you have it restored and try to resell for profit, you won't make any $$. As a core, worth $20-40.And if you do an amatuer (sp?) resto/ paint, it won't be worth much more than core value. I got the impression it was for your use, not to flip.

X2

Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:02 pm

Well, the bus my husband just bought already has a restored wheel (purchased from Koch, btw, just found out), and the previous owner gave the extra wheel to us with some other misc. parts. I guess he was going to restore it but must've decided against it after learning it would cost more than buying one directly from them.

Anyhoo...thanks again.

Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:53 pm

I did a wheel for my old 71 bus that had cracks and some of the horn hub missing about 4 years ago. Found the info for restoring a steering wheel on a vintage jeep website. Very easy to do if you have the time. Just grind the cracks out and fill them with PC-7 two part epoxy use some denatured alcohol with your finger to smooth it out sand it and paint.
The steering wheel that I did still looked great after a year of driving all for about $20.00 and some time. 8)
PS. I also sold one on ebay restore for $225.00 early bay wheels in good shape are hard to fine.