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Steering Wheel

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Technical question about the P7100

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I have a 96 2500 with 85000 miles and the steering wheel is already starting to dry out and crumble... . Has anybody experienced this and if so, has the factory taken care of the problem ? I find it hard to believe I should expect to replace my steering wheel every 85000 mi.

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1996 2500 4X4 Auto...
 
PSInt I had the same problem with my '94 and determined the deterioration was caused from perspiration. I picked up a steering wheel cover at an auto supply store. It fits nice and tight has good grip and sweat doesn't effect it. They come in all colors to match your truck. Beats the heck out of the price of a new steering wheel.
 
Pep Boys has one that looks like the same one as Geno's, I put one on mine and it looks almost exactly like the original, its the sew on one, dont get the extra large its too big, pull it good and tight and its really pretty nice.
Have Fun
John

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat 80gal fuel capacity.
Member NRA/USPSA
 
Yes my 96 started to deteriorate the first year. Four years later the foam is starting to get thin. Should of had Dodge replace under warranty.
tedhazen is right sweaty hands cause the vinyl to disintegrate. The sweatier your hands the faster it disappears.
Never had a steering wheel go bad so fast.
If you have solid foam under neath go with cover. If not new steering wheel(see if Dodge will help out, I haven't. ) I,m going to check aroung to see if upholstery shop can redo. I,m almost down to metal on one hand hold.

[This message has been edited by Missouri Mule (edited 09-10-2000). ]
 
I've sent E-Mail to Chrysler about my steering wheel and my fuel gauge. I understand both are a very common problem and I think Chrysler should fix them both. I used to work at a Chrysler Plymouth Dealer and have seen tham take care of things like this even though it's out of warranty. A steering wheel should last a couple of hundred thousand miles, I don't care HOW much you sweat ! It's unreasonable to think a steering wheel should fall apart at 85,000 miles. I would urge everybody with a bad steering wheel and fuel gauge to write Chrysler and complain rather than just accept it as normal. Never had a steering wheel fall apart on a Chevy or a Ford. Chrysler has always been behind everybody else in the "Fit and Finish" of their vehicles and it's about time they took responsibility for it. Maybe they could hire an engineer away from GM or Ford... :)
 
So far my '96 with 85000 miles has not had the steering wheel problem, I do have heavily tinted windows and I use a windshield sunscreen when I am not in the truck.

I did see a newer '96 (almost a '97) with a sunbleached dried out steering wheel sitting at a junkyard. Maybe the sun is the problem.
 
PSInt I agree with you steering wheel should last along time. I have had plastic one crack before 100,000. My 88 Ford Van (vinyl) steering wheel looked mint condition with 247,000 miles on it. My Mule steering wheel started around 15,000 and 20,000.
Bubba heat sun light mite dry out.
But Mine was definitely caused by wet hands. Only deteriorated where I hold steering wheel most often. Since I have 5-spd the left hand hold is the worse.

[This message has been edited by Missouri Mule (edited 09-10-2000). ]
 
I have a response from Chrysler. They wanted the last eight numbers of my VIN, Servicing Dealership, wanted to know if the dealer had diagnosed the problem, was the vehicle bought new or used. Sent the info back to them tonight. Hope to hear something tomorrow or the next day. I don't care HOW much you sweat ! The Steering shouldn't go away that fast ! I also asked about my fuel gauge. we'll see how good Chrysler stands behind their products. I'll keep you posted... By the way, I used to be a Mechanic and a Service Manager at a Chrysler Plymouth Dealership. They've been known to buy off on things such as this... ;-)

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1996 2500 4X4 Auto...
 
Well, I guess Chrysler hasn't changed their way of doing business since I worked there. Since I'm not the original owner and the truck is out of it's one year warranty, Chrysler seems to think a steering wheel should just crumble away in a couple of years. I hope the rumors are true that Ford will be getting the Cummins soon. Don't care much for Fords, but I can assure everybody this'll be my last Chrysler product !
 
Any word on the fuel gauge?
Mine is out to.
Does anybody know the fix?

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95' 2500 standard trans. 2wd reg cab 120,000 miles bone stock but not for long I hope.
 
Chrysler declined any help on the fuel gauge too. Since it isn't really a "Safety Item" I'm sure the gov't. wouldn't get involved. Chrysler undoubtedly has the best design engineers, but the quality of the finished product still leaves a LOT to be desired. Sure wish GM had the Cummins Diesel in their trucks.

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1996 2500 4X4 Auto...
 
I clean my truck's interior whenever I wash the outside. As a part of the standard cleaning "routine," I've been using a very mild dilution of regular dish washing soap on a sponge to remove hand oil, perspiration and grit/grime from the steering wheel. I use the same to clean the dash and instrument panels, then follow with a "rinse" from a clean sponge, moistened with clean, fresh water. I dry with a cotton towel and the truck's "good to go. " The interior looks like the day the truck was delivered to the dealership. Four times each year (with the start of each of the four seasons) I treat the interior, vinyl and plastic with "Armor All," only I dilute the factory formula by 50% with tap water. I really think Armor All is wonderful stuff and when applied to a freshly cleaned dash (and other components) it can really help to protect against UV deterioration. The water dilution keeps all the treated areas from taking on that high shine which contributes to glare when you're driving in bright, sunny conditions.

My steering wheel, after 3+ years, looks new, but I'm tempted, now, to install an after-market cover over it for protection, anyway, because of the discouraging accounts I've read in these posts.

I've installed "Geno's" seat covers (gray canvas) and found that they look great and protect the original upholstery; they're easy to throw in the laundry and re-install. Similarly, I installed, early on, Geno's "Husky Mats," which have saved my carpeting from numerous calamities. There is a terrific new product called "Resolve" "Dual-Action" foam which does an amazing job of restoring carpet to like-new condition. It will remove virtually ANYTHING, (grease, deer blood, coffee stains) and eliminate odors, too. You shake the can, the foam sprays out in an 8" wide swath, then you blot out the stains with a white towel. Instant new truck!

Like most of us, I can't afford to replace this truck every couple of years, so I'm trying to keep it looking good as long as possible. A little interior cleaning goes a long way. I treat the rubber seals with silicone spray, too, and this seems to help keep the rubber pliable and new looking.

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97 2500 4x4, club cab, auto, 3. 54 limited slip, JRE 4" exhaust, Dr. Performance Fuel system (370 HP), "Twister Turbo," Geno's guages -- Boost, EGT, transmission & Rear -- MAG Hytec covers, SunCoast Converter/Transgo shift kit, Brite Box, tons o'chrome under hood, Prime Loc, EZ Drain, Seat covers, wood dash, Rancho Suspension, Warn M12000 Winch on Warn Brush Guard, Warn driving and fog lights, Hella twin back up lights, 285/75/R16 B. F. G. ATs on Mickey Thompson "Classic" rims; Linex bed liner, BD exhaust brake.
 
Please be careful with Armor All and products like it. Read the labels carefully before you buy... they are alcohol based and will dry out your plastic dash, rubber tires and leather seats and steering wheel FASTER than if you never did anything to them! Look for products that offer UV protection.
 
BCFAST

I don't know about the "products like it," but Armor All contains no alcohol. It is a silicone based, water emulsion.

Armor All has been in distribution for almost a quater of a century and is the industry leader in rubber, vinyl surface protectants. It is now owned by Clorox Company. I've read the MSD (Material Safety Data) sheet and you can obtain one for yourself from The Armor All Products Corp. , Oakland, CA 94612. You can also call their customer service department to verify my statements at: 1-800-222-7784.
 
DEEZUL 1,

I read your post and went to Pep Boys where I found the wheel cover you referred to. For $14 I purchased a "Superskin," Extra Wide, "Genuine Leather" steering wheel cover #58-0600L. The product is manufactured by Superior Industries International, Inc. Van Nuys, CA 91406. The box says, "Fits 3 1/2" to 3 7/8" grip. " I got the cashier to let me take the cover out to my truck and test fit it to the wheel before purchasing it; it fits like a glove! I was accustomed to the old fashioned type of lace-up wheel cover that looks like something reminiscent of a failed summer camp crafts experiment. Not so this wheel cover. The lacing is all done on the inner rim of the steering wheel and is all but invisible after installation. It took me an hour and twenty minutes to lace it up, but I'm really pleased. It looks like it grew there, and feels great, too. Really nice quality "glove leather. "

I appreciate your tip!
 
Originally posted by PSInt:
Well, I guess Chrysler hasn't changed their way of doing business since I worked there. Since I'm not the original owner and the truck is out of it's one year warranty, Chrysler seems to think a steering wheel should just crumble away in a couple of years. I hope the rumors are true that Ford will be getting the Cummins soon. Don't care much for Fords, but I can assure everybody this'll be my last Chrysler product !
Just to let you know watch what you say about that Ford situation I brought that up on another thread and these guys tore me a new a**. This (from what I read JUST TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW WHERE i GOT IT) is the last year for the International contract with Ford and AS fORREST GUMP SAYS thats ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT


[This message has been edited by RedNut (edited 10-09-2000). ]
 
I have a 96 that I did get the dealership to replace the steering wheel under warranty. I think it was in the first 12000. I now have 112000 and the steering wheel is again starting to show it's age. I agree with all who have encountered problems with perspiration. In Houston, due to the heat and humidity, I always have sweating hands.
With the 5 speed that means the most wear is at 10 and 12 with alittle problem at 2.

I also have a fualty sending unit / fuel gauge (second time around) and had the throttle cable fraying and a crappy radio. (ever notice how many radios are sitting in the parts department at a DC Shop?). This WAS safety related and they did not issue a recall, only a TSB.

DC Warranty is poor but it's been so long since I had a Chevy or Ford, can't say that they would be any better.

I think I'll buy that one or two year old truck next time and become my 'own warranty' as Robert likes to point out because with DC you have to fight so hard it's just not worth it.

Oh well, mines paid for so it feels better.

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You know , this a pretty large group of people in TDR. It seems that bulletin could be E-Mailed to all members urging that the people that have had problems with the fuel gauge and the steering wheel should Band together and have a mass mailing to Chrysler Customer service. If they were all sent at roughly the same time, maybe some bonehead at Chrysler would wake up and take notice. There's strength in numbers... .

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1996 2500 4X4 Auto...
 
I have owned nothing but Ford trucks all my life but when it came time for a diesel it was no contest between the PS and the Cummins. I was pleasantly surprised when after driving the Dodge for a while to find I really like the truck a lot. The electrical system has got to be the crappiest one in the civilized world. I havnt had a 10th the electrical problems with all my Fords put together (6of em) that I have had with one dodge. Its a sorry blot on the reputation of a pretty good truck.

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
80gal fuel capacity. BD Brake, EGT,Boost + fuel pressure gauges. Member NRA/USPSA
 
My steering wheel looks like crap after 47,000. The truck is the worst truck Ive EVER owned. This morning I woke up to 2 dead batteries. AAA couldnt even start it. After I charged them, I took them to the local battery guy, (he checks them for free, Dodge wanted $100) . . The batteries are now back in the truck and it starts fine. the dealer said I have to waite 7 to 10 days for an appointment. Thats the normal reply from this fine "5 star Dodge dealer!". I want my power stroke back. Im my book, Mopar is NO car!. I have treminal right brake pull and am also on the 10th fuel sender (this year)! I hope anyone who even thinks of shelling out the bucks for one of these fine trucks asks someone, such as myself, before they too are sorry. Once Chrysley gets your money, they couldnt give a crap about repete business.

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98 Quad Cab 4X4 Cummins Automatic Totally loaded Minus fuel sender plus right brake pull, no extra charge!
 
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