Steering wheel sticky - what's up with it?

[Bored_2wd]

Hey all,
I've got a '93 ranger, stock steering wheel. Whenever it's humid, the steering wheel is sticky and black stuff gets on my hands. when it's no longer humid/wet out it doesn't do this!
Has anyone experienced this, and more importantly has anyone fixed this? Do I have to replace the steering wheel? How expensive is that? Can I buy some sealant or wax or something that will keep this from happening?
--Bob

 

[XplorerKid]

what i would do is just but a cover from an auto parts store or walmart.

thetre arent ne more than 10$ for a really nice one.

to replace the steering wheel its gunan be expensive plus you have to have speacial tools.


PEACE

PS: i guess its age that cause this to happen

 

[boominXplorer]

STOP EATING GLASED DOUGHNUTS WHEN DRIVING!! Had to do it. Just get some leather stuff from autozone or maybe even armor-all would work

 

[VOATMJ1]

I agree with XplorerKid, just get a cover from Wal-Mart or any auto parts store, and just cover it. I had the same thing happen to my '86 Bronco II. I bought a leather padded cover, and all was well, plus I liked the feel of the extra padding.

I would not invest in a new steering wheel for a '93 Ranger, big $$$, unless you just want to throw money Fords's way.

 

[RiverRat]

That sticky stuff comes from your hands. I'd try using simple green or some other cleaner and really rub the heck out of the steering wheel to clean it up.

 

[Nick C.]

quit picking your nose while driving, worked for me

 

[Bored_2wd]

hmm, I do eat donuts occasionally in the truck, but not that often and not the sticky ones!

Seriously you guys, what's happening? It's like the steering wheel is literally coming apart. What could cause this to occur, and has it happened to anyone else?

 

[XplorerKid]

i and riverrat(and maybe others) gave you serious answers...... i think its jsut somethign that happens with age, i gave you one solution and so did riverrat

 

[Bored_2wd]

Thanks guys for the answers! I know some of them were serious, I didn't mean to imply they weren't.

I've tried cleaning it before, but it didn't help. I'll try the simple green and maybe a few others before I buy the steering wheel cover. Armorall is a good idea, it's supposed to protect rubber and plastic, good advice. I'll try it and post back the results. If it doesn't work I'll buy the steering wheel cover and be done with it.

I guess I'm curious if anybody knows what exactly is happening? It's like the rubber/vinyl/plastic wheel is disintegrating on my hands. Is this common? This morning I got to work and had black stuff on my hands similar to having changed a tire. This definitely did NOT come from my hands, but maybe the natural oils from my hands over time could have caused the breakdown. Just a thought. Thanks for all who replied and those who read the post!
--Bob

 

[Bill Kemp]

I had this same problem w/ 90 Town Car & 96 X. I think its just a Ford thing. Leather looses its finish or something.
You can get covers anywhere.
I would suggest a Wheelskin cover. It takes about an hour to put on but I think its worth it as it lasts & lasts.

 

[joehawk]

I once tried Armorall on a similiar steering wheel, it made it so slippery it was hard to steer. I would go with the cover idea. I believe that part of the breaking down of the steering wheel surface is due to the acids on all our hands.

 

[bipolarbob]

Yea.. the "Goo" squeezes out of your steering wheel when it is real hot.Go to a drug store,ask for a "Tegaderm"Buy as many as you have little holes on your wheel.Clean the wheel well with alcohol swabs and stick the tegaderms on.Then put a steering wheel cover on.Otherwise the "Goo" keeps leaking and will eventually work it's wat back to your hands....Worked for me!Tegaderms are about 50 cents each.

 

[Premier]

Originally posted by Bill Kemp
I had this same problem w/ 90 Town Car & 96 X. I think its just a Ford thing. Leather looses its finish or something.
You can get covers anywhere.
I would suggest a Wheelskin cover. It takes about an hour to put on but I think its worth it as it lasts & lasts.

Where might one find a "Wheelskin cover"??

 

[professorweed]

I believe the problem is not with the leather surface decaying, but I think it is fluid from the gel-filling in the steering wheel that is leaching out. I have that problem and have a cover over the wheel to keep it off my hands. I have heard of others who have the black stuff oozing out around the cruise contol buttons, probably fouling the switches. Does anyone know if this is only on the eddie bauer packs? (upgraded steering wheels)

 

[bipolarbob]

Mine is an eddie and it is awfull

 

[blue88mustang]

As was said above, DO NOT USE ARMORALL ON YOUR STEERING WHEEL!!! The back of the bottle will say "Do not use on Steering wheel because it will become slippery and unsafe."

You could buy the FR500 Steering wheel out of the Ford Racing Catalog. The wheel is slightly smaller in overall diameter, but the GRIP all the way around is nice and thick. Everyone on the Corral.net that has installed one has absolutely LOVED it compared to the stock mustang steering wheel. They say it is very thick, but it is also very comfy to hold onto. Looks like the stock steering wheel out of a 94+ stang or like the steering wheel in my 97 Explorer.

 

[Stephen]

No you dont want to use Armor All on the steering wheel lol.

Is it leather wrapped or just plastic?

The leather on the steering wheel (and everywhere else) is coated, meaning there is a thin clear plastic coating over the leather surface to protect it. What has happened is that coating has worn away, and the leather has absorbed all the oil and dirt it can.

If its plastic this is also a possibility as the wheel is padded and coated in plastic. The coating has simply worn away.

A wheel cover should work. Might want to wrap the old wheel up in some gauze or something first, then cover it in the cover.

 

[Bored_2wd]

Thanks. It's the basic plastic wheel. I'm going to buy a cheap cover for it, thanks for the input!
--Bob