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Ttalk Tech
TD Stuff by Bud
Repaired Steering Wheel
FORGET IT, IT DIDN'T WORK.  YOU CAN NOT
BUTT WELD STAINLESS STEEL SPOKES!!!



I recently decided that it was time to bite the bullet and see if I could find a way to have the broken spokes in Lazarus' steering wheel repaired.  The broken spokes were in the set that are at 10 o'clock on the wheel.  The is a great tendency to lean and pull on the rim of the wheel at 10 o'clock when entering or exiting a LHD TD.  The spokes are stainless steel rods that are embedded into the aluminum hub at the center and into the marble-like plastic at the rim.  In my case, two of the spokes broke off very close to the hub. Shown below are images of the broken spokes:
SWBreaksTop         SWBreaksRear
Viewed from top and underside of wheel showing broken spokes.

After a bit of a hunt I ended up taking the wheel to the welding shop that I had do the repairs on my cast iron gearbox casing, Capeway Welding, here in Plymouth, Mass.  I am absolutely amazed at the job they did.  See for yourself:

SWFixedTop     SWFixedRear

Viewed from top and underside of wheel showing repaired spokes.

$30.00 well spent!



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URL:http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/SteeringWheel.html
  created May 13, 2004