spillias

I've got a 98 LX470 and the leather has started to deteriorate on the steering wheel. I would like to either have the leather replaced professionally or buy a used steering wheel that I can install. I would really like to upgrade to the wood version but I am not sure if I can get one for a 98 LX470. Any advice is welcome.

Oilleeker

Hi, you have several options: 1)look on-line at car-parts(dot)net and elsewhere for used wheel. This is the fastest option, but may not be cheap nor will the quality of the leather be guaranteed 2)check out wheelskinsdotcom and wrap it and sew it on yourself. Looks "ok" in my opinion, but not great. 3)send it out to a shop in Dallas for about $400 do a search on-line. 4)check out Shane on ih8muddotcom and do a search there for leather rewrap. Sending out your wheel is a drag because you are without the vehicle for three days, but it is the best way to go. I opted for option 5)do it yourself. I cut off the old nasty leather with a razor blade on the threads; took it to a custom leather shop and had him match the leather and make a new one. Cost was $125 and my time to sew it on. Took a solid weekend, but looks great. My advice? Get a Factory Service Manaual if you do not have one. Go to any auto store and borrow their wheel puller and pull the wheel yourself and send it to Shane at ih8muddotcom. He will send it back good as new and you will be thrilled with his work. I took the cheap route which ate up a whole weekend, but the job looks good. You will not need the wheel puller to put the wheel back on by the way and handle the airbag with caution and follow all of the steps to the letter. Hope this helps.