Don't know if this is an odd question, but so many of the 1990's, (and beyond) trucks have pretty nice looking, "slightly padded," black, leather-like steering wheels. My question is....how fast does the black outer covering wear through? And can this wear factor be a tip-off on the mileage actually on the truck or not? And what do they typically look like under the top black layer? I am just thinking of clues to look for in shopping for used trucks. Back in the 1960's, cars with 100K or so on them pretty well all wore off the paint used then on steering wheels.

Thanks for comments,
Dennis

 

The padded wheel on my '98 started wearing through at ~ 100K miles... now it's got 250K miles but the wheel is still pretty good.

 

Thanks. Now I'll admit why I really asked. I just bought my '97 and the dealer, (who I've known for 30 years), had put a slip cover over the steering wheel. I had looked under it during inspection, but in poor light. Now I have better light and I see a lot of the outer rim of the steering wheel has worn through to a slightly rougher, gray material. It kind of scared me as I always look for odometer setbacks even with today's laws. This truck shows 127K miles.

Maybe I merely have normal wear?

Dennis

 

I wouldn't give that steering wheel a 2nd thought... there's plenty of other things on the truck to look at to give you a better idea of it's condition/mileage.

 

When a greasy handed "mechanic" gets behind the wheel then later wipes it down with citrus degreaser the cover has about a week left in it's life.
The cover doesn't take well to the stuff.

 

Ive got 178K on mine and its worn through to the hard plastic frame on the steering wheel. I had to put a cover on mine cause it was hurting my hand. wish new wheels didnt cost so much though. I would like to replace it. My engine is fine, just a few small oil leaks loses maybe 2 or 3 quarts every 3500 miles, but trannies dying.

she starts easy, idles a little low for the 1st 30 seconds but then after that is fine.

besides trans mission dying the only other problem i have is the vacum hose from the vacum-pump up to the brake booster only lasts about 6-8 months before i have to replace it. It gets real soft and I cant find where any fluids are leaking onto or in to it.


Well enough of my problems, as someone said earlier dont worry about the steering wheel.

 

mine was alreaddy starting to rub through at 150k when I got my truck but have sence put a cover on. I wouldn't use the steering wheel as an indicator of mileage it was the least of my worries but thats just me.

 

Wear on the steering wheel is apparantly not an indicator of mileage. Mine developed a hole the size of a dime about 2 weeks ago, near the top and that is not where my hands are while driving.

 

Mine had 180k on it and was worn through on the top of the steering wheel when I bought it. I laced a black leather steering-wheel cover on over it and haven't looked back. Other that being a bit bigger to grasp it looks and works just fine.

 

Mine at 100K was completely worn thru about 4 inches long at the top.
I verified the mileage of my truck thru Carfax, no gaps in time, and a goodly service report that pretty much verified the guy was putting around 10K/year on it. I do know mine was a work truck......

 

[QUOTE=killfast1;1497584]

{besides trans mission dying the only other problem i have is the vacum hose from the vacum-pump up to the brake booster only lasts about 6-8 months before i have to replace it. It gets real soft and I cant find where any fluids are leaking onto or in to it.}


Killfast

There was a Recall for that same problem that your describing. It had something to do with putting a check valve on the vacuum pump to keep oil from migrating up into the vacuum system. I had the recall work done on mine, I tried doing a search for the Recall but I can't seem to find it.

Here it is:

Campaign Number: 97V068000 Date: 1997-Apr-28

Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Power Assist: Vacuum: Hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE ENGINE DRIVEN VACUUM PUMP CAN ALLOW ENGINE OIL INTO THE VACUUM HOSES DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF AN INTERNAL CHECK VALVE. THE OIL CAN CAUSE THE HOSE TO DETERIORATE AND PARTIALLY COLLAPSE, REDUCING THE VACUUM SUPPLY TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence Summary: REDUCED POWER BRAKE ASSIST CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL ADD A VACUUM PUMP CHECK VALVE TO THE VACUUM PUMP. IN ADDITION, THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTED TO THE VACUUM PUMP WILL BE REPLACED WITH A HOSE THAT IS ENGINE OIL RESISTANT.

 

I bought my truck at under 100K and the wheel was toast and had a cover on it.