Changing steering wheel

[Kieron G]

The steering wheel on our 1.9 diesel is getting a bit worn and the foam has come a bit loose in one place.  I am thinking it would be good to change it for a better one. Does anyone know if this is much of a job? Berlingo is the first car I have owned with an airbag so this is new territory for me.  I was also wondering if the steering wheel from a later generation might fit the M49. Seen a few smarter looking steering wheels at the local car breakers on later Berlingos. Thanks

[Carl.1]

Wrap it with that tape you used to get for tennis racket grips?

Bit cheap i know but if i put a new steering wheel on my m49 it would probably be worth more than the car!

[Kieron G]

Thanks for suggestion. Problem is not the foam is coming off, more that it is no longer bonded to the steel in a few places so it doesn't feel secure. I know any M49 is not worth a great deal. But what would I replace it with. There's not much out there as simple and practical as the M49 imo. I noticed that the later Berlingos have the horn on the wheel unlike ours so I might be looking for a better wheel off M49 or possibly M59? Anyway is not an urgent job

[brodfather11]

An old 1.9 van I once had had the same problem. A leather steering wheel cover , the kind that you stitch on did the job and also looked great and felt good. Cost approx a tenner and an hour or so stitching it on .

[Kieron G]

That sounds like a good solution. Thanks

[notsofast]

A couple of years ago my M49's steering wheel began to deteriorate, and in certain air conditions (e.g. when it was humid) it left tiny bits of black plastic all over my hands. I tried wrapping it in black gorilla tape, which worked to an extent, but in hot weather the glue was inclined to slide and the tape moved, so I bought a wheel cover from Halfords - can't remember the exact price but it was only £10-15 or so.  It was stretched to fit, rather than stitched on, though it was a bugger to do and on my first attempt one of its stitches ripped, so I left it in hot sun in order to let it soften and expand a little, and then I managed it. It's possible the gorilla tape, which I hadn't taken off (as it would leave the wheel all sticky), had made it more difficult to put the cover on. Anyway, the steering wheel now looks and feels much better - it's quite thick and chunky, but that's OK - maybe a little bit sporty! (Better thick and chunky than thin and weedy!)

[Carl.1]

Thanks for suggestion. Problem is not the foam is coming off, more that it is no longer bonded to the steel in a few places so it doesn't feel secure. I know any M49 is not worth a great deal. But what would I replace it with. There's not much out there as simple and practical as the M49 imo. I noticed that the later Berlingos have the horn on the wheel unlike ours so I might be looking for a better wheel off M49 or possibly M59? Anyway is not an urgent job

Since i read this i noticed mine is the same. If you really grip the wheel and turn your hands you can feel the outer casing of the wheel slipping around the 'inner'. As you say it is like it is no longer bonded to the central core of the wheel. But i think i can live with it. I can not think of a fix so until it needs doing .......

[artag]

My Picasso had the coating on the wheel going sticky like most of those soft-feel plastics of a few years ago. I also used a leather cover, bound on with stitches. There was a little patch that never quite formed up tight, but with careful stitching to spread the lump out it worked well for several years.

[Kieron G]

I found a good steering wheel at a breakers in Wakefield on a 2002 M49 via girlfriends fb marketplace. I mainly went for window regulator but the car there had electric. Reason for updating post is to comment on how easy it is to change over. I thought it would be bit of a pain but after disconnecting battery air bag is very easy to remove just two torx headed bolts at back of wheel then unplug airbag. Centre bolt again with torx head which holds wheel on not even very tight. Just make sure wheel on straight ahead position so replacement goes on right and I put a blob of thread lock on the bolt