2000 Intrepid steering wheel deteriorating

40k miles, Intrepid ES trim package, with black fake leather/vinyl. Steering
wheel seems to be deteriorating on the wife's Intrepid. She's rather large,
the wheel rubs black goop on her clothes. Steering wheel covers want to grab
clothes with this particlular cover. Could try another type, though.

Question is, do these steering wheels typically deteriotate that fast? I
used an ammoniated cleaner, Dirt-tex and a clean rag, the black stuff kept
coming off....

Since my wife is large, I need to get this fixed. Ideally, a smaller
steering wheel would work best, to give her more room. I doubt that
aftermarket steering wheels are legal, I assume the airbag neeeds to remain
functioning, and seem to recall a minimum diameter steering wheel size
mandated by the govt.

Any ideas? Appreciate it...

Paul

 

Is it a leather wrapped wheel? Probably being ruined by your cleaner. I
once started to ruin a wheel in a 94 LHS with a bit of windex I had used on
the windsheild. Started to dissolve. I fixed it by covering it with a
thick layer of Armorall leather cleaner/conditioner for a few minutes then
wiped off. It was fine for years after that. I haven't seen Armoral
leather/cleaner for a while but any of the thick conditioners might solve
your problem.

 

Paul wrote:

Same thing happened to my 2000 Intrepid. At this point, with about
115,000 miles, about 30% of the veneer is gone, revealing the spongy
interior. I doubt you can fix it.

You're simply removing layers of rubber.

Not an option. There is more than just the airbag inside, there is all
kinds of crazy crap integral to the operation of the car, such as the
cruise control switches, and the steering clock spring. I imagine you
could get a factory original replacement (maybe they've improved it).
However, Daimler Chrysler will gouge you for replacement parts. The
clock spring inside alone cost me $175 CDN.

I just live with mine. Don't you have a tilt wheel?

How large?

 

Go get one of those wrap-around lace-on steering wheel covers, or a
circular stretch one to fit the wheel. Good point someone said about
the tilt feature - that might help too.
Good luck.
Bob

 

Got out the grandpa glasses for a closer look, also confirmed it on the
dealer sheet, the ES package has a leather wrapped steering wheel. I have
some Meguiar's Gold Class rich leather cleaner/conditioner which ought to
work as you described. Thanks for pointing out the obvious..... ;-)

Paul

 

Do you have the ES package? Seems like the ES package has a leather wrapped
steering wheel. With a tilt steering wheel, it still rubs against her
clothes. She is pretty large.

Checked some online dealers with discounted Mopar parts, new steering wheel
is $175. If a leather conditioner doesn't do the job, I can remove the
leather and rewrap it.

Paul

 

Sounds like a plan, if leather cleaning and conitioning it doesn't do the
job, I'll be looking at that option.

Paul

 

As I stated, she's large. Even with seat pushed pack, seat controls adjusted
and tilt wheel up, the steeling wheel still rubs her clothes.

Paul

 

Also, didn't think of all the intregal components in the steering wheel.
Man, old age is getting to me.......

Paul

 

There is no Federal law against removing or disabling the airbag in your
own car, though a few states have laws against it. There is no mandatory
steering wheel minimum diameter, either. That said, it's doubtful you'd
find a steering wheel appreciably smaller than stock that would fit the
column.

You say the steering wheel rubs on her *even* with the tilt wheel all the
way up, *even* with the seat all the way back?

Has it been considered that the solution may not lie in any changes to the
steering wheel?

DS

 

1st off what does the size of your wife have to do with this? if her
belly/boobs are touching the wheel, she is to close to it, and the air bag
will injure her...

also that stuff your cleaning it with is probably the problem.

 

Holy crap, paul! In an Intrepid???

HOLY CRAP, PAUL!

- NG