Steering wheel rebuild

A

adam metzger

New member
Oct 12, 2016
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The steering wheel in the coach is literally crumbling away. It's held together right now by a laced leather wrap.

but it shifts under my hands. IF I take he wrap off, it will be about 15 seconds before it disintegrates down to the metal frame.

I saw a rebuild using wood, but was looking for other ideas? I plan on wrapping it again, so it doesnt have to be perfect. I was considering using
gradually larger diameter sections of tubing of some sort to build up a thickness, then covering.

I would like to keep the wheel, and not replace if possible.

thanks gents!


--
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX
 
Lots of ideas here:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/search.php?searchid=283141&cpage=3

I like this one just fine:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p49581-bumble.html

bdub

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist On Behalf Of Adam Metzger

The steering wheel in the coach is literally crumbling away. It's held
together right now by a laced leather wrap.

but it shifts under my hands. IF I take he wrap off, it will be about 15
seconds before it disintegrates down to the metal frame.

I saw a rebuild using wood, but was looking for other ideas? I plan on
wrapping it again, so it doesnt have to be perfect. I was considering using
gradually larger diameter sections of tubing of some sort to build up a
thickness, then covering.

I would like to keep the wheel, and not replace if possible.
 
Adam,

RE: Batteries. You'll get lots of help with the batteries so I will offer
only this: Get both of those out of the coach ASAP before their acidic
fumes and possible liquid leakage destroy anything else.

RE: Steering wheel. 'Most any GM vehicle steering wheel without an air
bag will fit your steering column. The Chevy S-10/GMC S-15 wheels from the
early 90's are especially popular because they're simple and don't conceal
any of the instruments. Changing the wheel is trivially easy, so why not
spend $15 or so, borrow the few special tools from a parts store, and put
yourself a "new" wheel on. If you're determined to keep the old wheel, do
so, but I'll be you never "get a round tuit" after using the replacement
wheel a while.

JWID,

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

>
> The steering wheel in the coach is literally crumbling away. It's held
> together right now by a laced leather wrap.
>
> but it shifts under my hands. IF I take he wrap off, it will be about 15
> seconds before it disintegrates down to the metal frame.
>
> I saw a rebuild using wood, but was looking for other ideas? I plan on
> wrapping it again, so it doesnt have to be perfect. I was considering using
> gradually larger diameter sections of tubing of some sort to build up a
> thickness, then covering.
>
> I would like to keep the wheel, and not replace if possible.
>
> thanks gents!
>
>
 
I have a steering wheel from a S -15 GMC pickup in my coach. The crossbar
is lower, so it does not obscure the instruments. Simple bolt on. No drama.
Spend your time on the wiring that you inherited. Choose your battles
wisely, grasshopper. There are plenty of them to go around.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

Adam,

RE: Batteries. You'll get lots of help with the batteries so I will offer
only this: Get both of those out of the coach ASAP before their acidic
fumes and possible liquid leakage destroy anything else.

RE: Steering wheel. 'Most any GM vehicle steering wheel without an air
bag will fit your steering column. The Chevy S-10/GMC S-15 wheels from the
early 90's are especially popular because they're simple and don't conceal
any of the instruments. Changing the wheel is trivially easy, so why not
spend $15 or so, borrow the few special tools from a parts store, and put
yourself a "new" wheel on. If you're determined to keep the old wheel, do
so, but I'll be you never "get a round tuit" after using the replacement
wheel a while.

JWID,

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

>
> The steering wheel in the coach is literally crumbling away. It's held
> together right now by a laced leather wrap.
>
> but it shifts under my hands. IF I take he wrap off, it will be about 15
> seconds before it disintegrates down to the metal frame.
>
> I saw a rebuild using wood, but was looking for other ideas? I plan on
> wrapping it again, so it doesnt have to be perfect. I was considering
using
> gradually larger diameter sections of tubing of some sort to build up a
> thickness, then covering.
>
> I would like to keep the wheel, and not replace if possible.
>
> thanks gents!
>
>
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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part two-

http://s66.photobucket.com/user/adammetzger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/D284370E-0E16-4B00-B74C-2A63971296F5.jpg.html

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/adammetzger/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/D284370E-0E16-4B00-B74C-2A63971296F5.jpg

The unwrapped ball of wonder contained this little gem.

Yes, those are trailer light wires.

http://s66.photobucket.com/user/adammetzger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/920DB5D1-DEAC-4264-968E-367467ADAE32.jpg.html

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/adammetzger/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/920DB5D1-DEAC-4264-968E-367467ADAE32.jpg

see? I've been wondering what on God's Green Earth was happening here. As I continued my coffee cup probing of the coach, I was looking at Onan's
bedroom and what do you know?

http://s66.photobucket.com/user/adammetzger/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/67D4D710-5C97-4B51-BE42-E7FAA12A99CB.jpg.html

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/adammetzger/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/67D4D710-5C97-4B51-BE42-E7FAA12A99CB.jpg

another trainer wire adapter wired to the battery bank back here.

Huh.

I think this was so that in case one battery died, it could be jumped by the other!? Does that make sense? would that work? That ball of wonder does
include a wire to the alternator. i believe it also includes a wire to the positive terminal, or the boost switch. (I think it's the boost switch)
maybe both?

What do you think of that??

--
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX
 
Tear it out. If you need to rig for towed lights, see if the trailer wiring was included as part of the original build. Check the build sheet on the
inside of the glove box, it lists all the factory installed components. No telling about the last 40 years.
The little box labeled '9005' is a relay for high speed fan power position, as selected by the fan speed control on the a/c heat control box.
The round thing with four wires is indeed a boost switch. Allows you to add the house battery to the circuit when you have exhausted the engine
battery.
Tom, MS II
--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG
 
> ...This is a boost switch in Onan's bedroom, correct?
> ...
>
> Identify this part, please? This is what the switch on the steering column is wired to.
If not already done, download the chassis wiring diagram for your year model from here:

http://www.bdub.net/wirediagrams/
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Highest price does not guarantee highest quality."
 
Thank you-

I have all the manuals for the coach.

Its easier for me to understand how these things work if I see the part that wires should connect to, instead of a name for the part, like in a wiring
diagram.

--
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX
 
tphipps-

I don't think this was for towing lights. there is a towing light harness in the back already, and functional. I think it was a work around for
jumping one or the other batteries.

--
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX
 
Whatever it is, it don't belong up front. It needs to go away before it or
something similar burns your coach to the lug nuts. I personally have seen
4 coaches involved in fires that started from electrical causes not as
serious as what I see in your photos.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> tphipps-
>
> I don't think this was for towing lights. there is a towing light harness
> in the back already, and functional. I think it was a work around for
> jumping one or the other batteries.
>
> --
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Austin, TX
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Adam,

A little more thorough explanation of the "rear boost relay":

That round solenoid relay works in conjunction with the boost switch and
relay under the passenger side hood. The rear-mounted house battery is
connected to its normal loads through the round "hockey puck looking"
Circuit Breaker on the wall behind that solenoid. When the boost switch is
turned ON, the house battery is likely to be called upon to provide more
current than that protective CB can pass. So, the relay, connected in
parallel with the CB, closes, allowing higher current to pass to the
chassis battery & its loads -- with NO short circuit protection.

I would NOT bet that yours is still connected in that standard way. :-)

Ken H.

>
>
> http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/adammetzger/
> Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/5D93EFA7-3411-4EA8-BF85-92B742744EC8.jpg
>
>
> This is a boost switch in Onan's bedroom, correct?
>
>
>
>
> http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/adammetzger/
> Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/7D32DC2B-6B0E-4729-AE24-71FE8D22C08C.jpg
>
> Identify this part, please? This is what the switch on the steering
> column is wired to.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Austin, TX
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Just a note for everyone replying-

I appreciate the help more than you know. I intend to rewire the coach to at least OEM spec, unless I come upon a good idea. I understand the
seriousness of the wiring issues involved with this coach.

The PO also had an airplane that he did mechanic work on. Never got to ride in it, but if I had seen this before getting to, I probably would have
declined.

The issue I face is that electrical is not "intuitive" to me, yet. So seeing parts,and part names, seeing examples, seeing how things should be set
up, and the ability to ask 1000 "dumb" questions is how I'm gonna get through this.

Thanks y'all!
--
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX
 
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