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Old 09-17-2008, 02:42 PM   #1
eurospek
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Default Abnormal steering wheel wear

Car is at 29,000 miles and I use quality leather products (Lexol Leather Cleaner+Conditioner and now started using Griot's Garage Leather Care spray) and this abnormal wear just keeps spreading. Is it something that can still be replaced under warranty???

Is anyone experiencing similar wearing?









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Old 09-17-2008, 02:45 PM   #2
gloves
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are you 100% sure its not your cleaning products...they are not always as good as you think...and i would have to doubt that a dealership will take it back...its wear and tear
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Old 09-17-2008, 02:45 PM   #3
DC16A2
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Holy cow... are you wearing any rings that might abrade on the wheel surface by any chance?
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Old 09-17-2008, 02:53 PM   #4
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That's pretty bad. Mine's an 02 and it's not that bad but it DOES wear a bit.
Lexol makes like the best of the best products, supposedly, so I'd be surprised if it was that. Is your car constantly in the sun?
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Old 09-17-2008, 02:53 PM   #5
trueno16v
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Are your knuckles white alot of time when driving? That would explain things--JK
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:07 PM   #6
G Langa
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If you palm your steering wheel or do the hand to hand motion, dragging your hand over it, it will naturally wear faster when making turns. If you do hand over hand when you turn then it will wear down, just not as fast as the other two reasons given.

I'm no expert on steering wheel or leather wear but it's pretty obvious the more abrasion and friction against the surface will cause that condition.



I'm going to say you palm the steering wheel judging by how there is more wear on the face of the wheel and not the top. Either lighten up while doing or change your steering habits.

No the dealership will not cover it under warranty.
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:13 PM   #7
eurospek
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DC16A2 View Post
Holy cow... are you wearing any rings that might abrade on the wheel surface by any chance?
No rings on my fingers and my hands are never oily, dirty or sweaty during driving, I keep a clean microfiber towel in my door pocket to constantly wipe my hands during driving as my hands sweat a little.
Quote:
Originally Posted by smurfwrx View Post
That's pretty bad. Mine's an 02 and it's not that bad but it DOES wear a bit.
Lexol makes like the best of the best products, supposedly, so I'd be surprised if it was that. Is your car constantly in the sun?
Yes it is, it's never garaged, but then again if sun is at fault, I shouldn't have any wear other than at the top since I position my wheels straight every time I park.
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No the dealership will not cover it under warranty.
Hoping to get lucky with the Saab dealership.
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:17 PM   #8
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Nice shoes...



Mine is real bad. When it is "moist" or humid, it flakes off in my hand.
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:22 PM   #9
G Langa
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Hey eurospek, read my previous post fully, not just the last line. Are you doing any of that?


No dealership will cover it under warranty. It's normal wear and tear unless you have some insanely comprehensive bumper to bumper warranty that includes things subject to wear and tear through normal use.
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:41 PM   #10
eurospek
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glanga-

Well I do "palm" it at the top or simply hold it on the left side, and when parallel parking (couple times a day) I always have my hand open, lay it on wheel and proceed to turn the wheel and park. Oh well, can't change my holding habits now, what's done is done.

cszink-

Thanks, I love my Nike Waffle Racer Vintage.
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:44 PM   #11
G Langa
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Palming it will do that unfortunately. Did it to mine too. Doesn't help that it's dark leather either. Steering wheel cover is the cheapest fix. Or a new wheel and just swap airbags.
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:54 PM   #12
epik_x
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My steering wheel is much worse than that. Like cszink said, after raining or when its really humid out the steering wheel leather pretty much flakes off in my hands. When its dry outside its fine. After I noticed it happening I tried to "palm" or chafe the steering wheel less, but in humidity it didn't matter.
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:54 PM   #13
ckb1985
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yea mines doing the same thing on my 02 I plan on getting a jdm wheel when it gets real bad...
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Old 09-17-2008, 04:03 PM   #14
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...personally, I have never used cleaning/conditioning products on my leather wheels. My '03 is more than 5 years old and while the it has become somewhat "shiny" over time, it has not begun to deteriorate like what I see in your pictures. I usually just wipe it clean it with a damp MF towel. I'm not saying the products you used or are using have caused this problem, but I guess you would have to consider all factors.
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Old 09-17-2008, 04:14 PM   #15
eurospek
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^ Good points, with my next car I will not be using any products on the leather steering wheel and my wheel started showing wear before I started using any product which is why I started using them thinking it's not conditioned or cleaned enough hence the wear. Oh well, live and learn I guess.
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Old 09-17-2008, 04:22 PM   #16
eurospek
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Why was this moved to the Detailing section?
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Old 09-17-2008, 04:29 PM   #17
Bill in Mtl
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By chance - do you wear alot of, or often apply sunscreen ??

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Old 09-17-2008, 04:30 PM   #18
eurospek
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill in Mtl View Post
By chance - do you wear alot of, or often apply sunscreen ??

Never apply sunscreen to myself or the wheel.
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Old 09-17-2008, 04:46 PM   #19
DC16A2
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I'd get a steering wheel cover... or, it's possible to take off the existing leather wrap, get new leather and stitch it on. My friend's MR2 came with a flaking/crumbling wheel, and that's what he did. It took a little over 2 hours in a parking lot and some tired hands in the end, but I must say the results were good.
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Old 09-17-2008, 05:27 PM   #20
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It's a Saabaru use your warranty before it's gone!
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Old 09-17-2008, 05:29 PM   #21
eurospek
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2superblus View Post
It's a Saabaru use your warranty before it's gone!
Going to the dealer either Friday morning or Monday afternoon, and hoping for the best!!!
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Old 09-17-2008, 05:31 PM   #22
efaroh
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i would say is the saline solution from your sweaty palms thats eating away the leather... any other explanations?
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Old 09-17-2008, 06:09 PM   #23
DC16A2
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^ sweating is just peeing through your skin...
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Old 09-17-2008, 06:20 PM   #24
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Start using a sunshade in your window anytime its parked outside, i've got more miles and mine looks like it did when it was new (using sunshade and tint).
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Old 09-18-2008, 12:58 PM   #25
epik_x
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kean View Post
...personally, I have never used cleaning/conditioning products on my leather wheels. My '03 is more than 5 years old and while the it has become somewhat "shiny" over time, it has not begun to deteriorate like what I see in your pictures. I usually just wipe it clean it with a damp MF towel. I'm not saying the products you used or are using have caused this problem, but I guess you would have to consider all factors.
No products used here, and my steering wheel looks worse then eurospeks. Actually its not just the wheel thats rubbing off. I noticed some dirt on the inside of the passenger door(near the door handle), grabbed my MF towel to give it a little "spit shine" and wipe the dirt off. I ended up rubbing off some of the leather just doing that.

I can see how sweaty palms can affect the steering wheel, but not the inside door leather. My car is not usually garage kept and does see all the elements, including direct sunlight daily. However so did my previous cars with no such issues, and the fact the other subaru owners the experiencing the same thing I'm leaning towards low quality materials...
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