What's the secret? Steering wheel cap...

Dangerous Doug · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 08:08 PM

Okay, I tried WD-40, chilling in ice water for ten minutes, and brute force. Nothing seems to prep the steering wheel cap so I can install it and have it stay in place. It "kind of" goes in, but pops loose if I look at it cross-eyed or sneeze. I contemplated sacrificing a goat to the Cobra gods during a full moon, but before I go to all that messy trouble, I thought I'd ask here first.

What's the secret to getting the original style steering wheel cap to stay on the wood steering wheel?

DD

rokndad · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 08:16 PM

I uniformly sanded down the O-ring that holds it in place until it just squeezed in and stayed. WD-40 will make things too slippery to stay. A slight rotation with pressure downward also helped.

Dangerous Doug · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 08:24 PM

That's worth a shot. I keep trying to push it in straight. I wonder if I could find a thinner o-ring at the local hardware store.

DD

ekrupa2 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 08:31 PM

Doug - it might take some experimentation with o-rings...i was having the same issue with my knock-off wheel caps. I changed to a thinner o-ring and wrapped the o-ring with one revolution of common plumbers teflon tape. Now my spinner caps went in with a "snap" and they dont seem to be popping out on their own. I wonder if the same trick might work with the steering wheel cap?

Dangerous Doug · #5 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 08:35 PM

I'll be down at my local Ace Hardware with a pair of calipers, measuring 0-ring tube diameters...

Teflon tape. Hadn't thought of that...

DD

FWB · #6 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 11:14 PM

uh....glue?

danc30 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 08:50 AM

Make sure the center bolt holding tthe wheel on isn't interfereing with it going all the way in.

I had to grind mine down slightly and then I used a dremel to open up the hole in the steering wheel just a "little" where the O-rings seat. (Couple quick passes)

HTH

Dangerous Doug · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:26 AM

Checked the steering wheel bolt already. No interference. I think I'll try to find a different o-ring today during my lunch.

DD

jhv48 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:59 AM

It's the tight seal that is causing it to pop off (air pressure that can't escape). Drill a tiny hole either on the side of the lip or in a part of the cap that you can later seal and paint if it bothers you.

I drilled a tiny hole in the black part of the emblem and you can't even see it. Its the size of a pin.

PFSlim · #10 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 11:27 AM

I am looking for a cap and (6) screws. I noticed that a vendor carries them. Anyone else got one?

Thanks in advance

Paul

Ronbo · #11 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 11:57 AM

Take a bar of hand soap and rub it on the o ring and around the inside.

Oil won't work.

Bobcat · #12 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 12:11 PM

A "secret" we used in rebuilding hydraulic valves when installing the static seal O rings was to use a light film of liquid soap on the O ring . It gave it lubricity and would stick the O ring to the metal as it dried out .... plus it was compatible with the hydraulic oils we used . Even works great as a bead lube when mounting a tire .
Some of those O rings can be a bear to get where they are supposed to be.

Mdman352 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 01:37 PM

Mine has clips and i missing one so the cap won't stay on. any ideas?
david

Ronbo · #14 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 01:44 PM

Dot of RTV in a couple spots, not too much.

Dangerous Doug · #15 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 01:50 PM

Bought various sizes of o-rings. First, I think I'll try the soap bar trick first, then try changing the o-ring out.

It's nice to get to a place with my Cobra build that my biggest concern is getting the steering wheel cap to stay in place!

DD

Seagull81 · #16 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 12:40 PM

Drill a small hole just above the o-ring on the side of the cover. It will let the air out as you press it in and let air in if you ever want to remove it.

Ronbo · #17 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 09:47 PM

Glad to hear you got it. The soap is pretty safe since you don't have to worry if the o ring is oil friendly rubber. Steve, the vent hole is a good idea.

There is one danger with soap; don't use the wife's flower soaps...

BTW soap also works great for lubing screws your trying to run into wood. Those of you that have snapped off screw heads trying to run 'em into some yellow pine know what I'm talking about.

lemans24 · #18 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 03:37 PM

I had my machine shop guy put it on a mill/lathe and take off a little bit of the back, so it slides deeper into the steering wheel. worked perfect.

Dangerous Doug · #19 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:36 PM

Thank for the advice. After experiementing with soap and the original o-ring, along with soap with some smaller o-rings, here is what worked for me:

The diameter of the original o-ring is 0.135". This pops loose, even with soap. I purchased a handful of smaller diameter o-rings. 0.100" falls in---and subsequently, falls out. In my collection of o-rings was a 0.075" diameter o-ring, with a smaller overall diameter than the original. I put this one on first, stretching it to get it over the cap mount. Then, I added on top of it the 0.100" o-ring---properly soaped up, of course.

This pushed in, and then with a twist I could hear a light sucking sound, and in she went. Seems stabile, but I'm sure I'll find out tomorrow when I get in.

In terms of the soap, what I used was some glycerin soap from the house. Not sure if that was the right kind to use, but I wet it and rubbed it all over my hand. Then, I squished the loose o-ring around in my hand until it was soapy.

Anyhow, it's on. I'm happy.
DD

xracerbob · #20 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 05:47 AM

I used dry spray lubricant and it worked great. Beware of WD-40 or other oils, they can cause the o-ring to swell and make it impossible.