Alright guys,

I've had my Octy for about 18months now, and im delighted with, well, everything about it.

there has been a few little niggles, couple of scratches that ive touched up,

and the seat lumber support, which has been fixed courtesy of advice on here :-)

so, pretty much the final thing that niggles -

a lot of very heavy wear between 10 & 2 on my steering wheel,

right down through the hardened skin to the foam

a previous owner must've been a very nervous driver...

is there a way to refinish the wheel, or would I be looking at replacing it?

Cheers :-)

Hi, Ive got exactly the same on my 2000 Octavia TDi Elegance, I thought it was because the millage is a little high 113k, be interesting to know why they wear there?

Mines on 116k miles and theres not much wear. Tiny marks but you can only see it if you look for them!

Replace the wheel

im up to 147k on the odometer.

Hi, Ive got exactly the same on my 2000 Octavia TDi Elegance, I thought it was because the millage is a little high 113k, be interesting to know why they wear there?

I stand to be corrected, but i put it down to people actually doing the driving "10 and 2" hand position while they're driving.

and also spinning the wheel on your palm when turning lock to lock parking etc.

I dont want to have to replace the wheel, and i hate covers...

is there no way of resealing?

Can get a leather wheel recovered professionally but its not cheap.(don't know if yours is leather)

Had a quote of £105 to recover a vRS wheel with perforated leather and yellow stitching. From here http://royalsteeringwheels.com/

May well do refurbs.

Suspect cheapest option is a cover or possibly a second hand one in better nick.

I know that OP said they hate leather covers, is that the elasticated type that you see in car accessory shops or leather wheels in general?

You can buy a leather cover from eBay which you stitch on, so it should be very similar to a fitted factory cover.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-1998-2004-BLACK-REAL-GENUINE-100-LEATHER-STEERING-WHEEL-COVER-NEW-/161037871680?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257e9aea40

Get a golf mk4 leather 3 spoke jobbie on ebay!

Not too expensive

I bought one like yours from ebay for £10 (in bad shape), then bought alcantara £30-£35 100cmx140cm, then needles and green thread £10? (max), took off the leather, took measurements, watched a few youtube videos about stitching a steering wheel, then tried a few times, stitching could be a bit better, had I gone with black thread no one would tell I did it. I also did the gear stick and its 'bag' as well (cant remember what they call it) It ended up like this

Edited 13 June, 201313 yr by theo_k

/\ impressive! Well done on that!

That is some very decent stitching :-)

No its not a leather wheel, just yer bog standard plastic/foam wheel.

I know that OP said they hate leather covers, is that the elasticated type that you see in car accessory shops or leather wheels in general?

You can buy a leather cover from eBay which you stitch on, so it should be very similar to a fitted factory cover.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item257e9aea40

Its the covers you can get in auto shops i hate, they never feel 100% connected, and they mess with the feel through the steering.

Wouldnt mind a leather wheel, but to be honest my budget is "Low as i can go - bodge where necessary".

Is changing the wheel a big/hard job?

Just looked at that link exAudi, could be a good option :-)

Just looked at that link exAudi, could be a good option :-)

I quite fancied one myself, but have never got around to it.

Is changing the wheel a big/hard job?

not at all. Make the wheels look straight, disconnect the battery, get a long straight screwdriver, behind the steering wheel are 2 holes, one on each side, you fiddle around with them with the screwdriver (better watch a couple of youtube videos before you try), they hold the airbag, then the airbag pops out, you disconect the wires - pretty standard, then unscrew the steering wheel and thats it really. What will take you time to master is how to release the airbag. However, after you remove the airbag and before removing the steering wheel make a couple of markings for when you will put it back on.

Edited 14 June, 201313 yr by theo_k

http://www.ebay.co.u...d=161037871680

Has anyone actually purchsed and fitted one of these? and if so how did it turn out?

cheers

Just ordered the stitch on steering wheel cover...

I will report back on its effectiveness and ease of putting on

Mine is on the best part of 215k, and I hold the steering wheel properly, and it is just a bit shiny at the 2 o'clock position.

Are you sure your mileage is accurate?

Hi Mbames,

i believe the mileage is right, assuming the service history hasnt been faked...

I reckon the poor girl's first or second owner was just a bit ... rough with her.

think the car was a farm yard work horse in a past life, which has just taken its toll on the interior,

steering wheel and driver's seat bolster are worn down.

(thinking about a new set of seats & door cards when the budget allows...)

ive seen younger cars (mine's an '04) with more wrecked interiors from people just not caring...

UPDATE -

I ordered the leather cover ExAudi recommended above -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-1998-2004-BLACK-REAL-GENUINE-100-LEATHER-STEERING-WHEEL-COVER-NEW-/161037871680?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item257e9aea40

Ordered Tuesday last week, arrived by standard post today, 5 to 6 working days as promised.

looks and smells like genuine leather, feels extremely nice too

not thick and bulky to change the feel of the steering wheel too much but enough to feel like it will last.

Have the work van home tonight though, for site work tomorrow, so the Octy is parked up.

Hopefully ill get to fit it later in the week, or at the weekend.

Will update on the ease of fitting, and then follow up with a road test verdict

okay, i have the cover half stitched on, the bottom 3 spoke gaps.

Recommendations thus far - Buy a frigging thimble for pushing the needle through the seams at each end of sections.

takes a fair amount of pressure, and ive already stabbed myself once...

Also, i think when doing the big top section, im going to start at the top centre,

and work down each side rather than going all the way from 1 side to the other.

i have a feeling there might be a little excess leather to bury.. ive been photographing as i go too,

so they will follow later

Photobucket upload is in progress,

Im surprised by how well it finished up tbh, it was looking like here was going to be a little fold of excess material

on each side but it all pulled in together quite neatly.

its awkward doing the tying off at each section, but after the first one it gets easier.

plus, the good folks supply plenty of thread, enough to royally $%&^ it up, and start all over again.

also doesnt feel like it has changed how thick the wheel feels, and the grip is quite decent

before

the during (only cost me 1 stab wound )

and the final product

Pulls nice and tight, so the rear profiling is still visible. a bug bear of mine with other "Universal" Covers.

Live with testing starts now :sun: