Quick post to report back on the leather covered steering wheel upgrade I had fitted today. To cut a long story short, the chap is called Jack, at Royal Steering Wheels http://royalsteeringwheels.com/ and his service was beyond reproach. He sourced another stock plastic wheel for me and covered it in high quality Mercedes-spec leather (perforated on the edges) such that I could just pitch up today and he swapped the two around. All fitted in about 30 mins and he knew how to push the release bars in to lift out the airbag module.

It's slightly fatter with is great and it feels so much different to the somewhat nasty plastic item. It feels just like the AMGs I get to drive and is even better than the mostly-leather version I'd have had if the previous owner had ticked the appropriate option box when ordering. It's really lifted the interior and enhanced the driving feel no end. VERY pleased.

£150 all up or thereabouts and very well worth the trip up to Aylesbury this morning. Recommended in every sense.

I think I will now get him to make me a matching gear gaiter made too, if I could work out how to remove the plastic version to send to him - anyone know by chance?

Looks good.
Jack sorted out the steering wheel on my previous car. Thoroughly recommend him.

Looking very good. The original leather steering wheel is also very nice and certainly enhances the whole driving experience and gives you a nice sence of quality and luxery.

I have the leather steering wheel too. It certainly adds to the ambiance.

That looks much better quality than the standard-fit leather wheel, which has nasty plastic bits on the top and bottom sections. Top job

OK, back from holiday now, hence late resurrection of thread....

So pleased am I with the wheel that I will ask the same chap to make me a matching leather gear lever gaiter, which seems like a good idea.

Anyone know how to remove gear knob and then the existing nasty plastic gaiter? Have searched and there's much discussion about how they look, not how to remove and replace however.

I've looked on the Parts Catalogue and that's not obvious either (Herts Hopper Pete - are you able to find any catalogue links, as you're normally the best at this!?)

Thanks!

R1NGA said:

Anyone know how to remove gear knob and then the existing nasty plastic gaiter? Have searched and there's much discussion about how they look, not how to remove and replace however.

Click to expand...

There are guides on the 500 and 2003+ Panda forums and would presume a similar approach.

I replaced one in a Fiat 500 with the following guidance:-

http://m-auto.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/fiat-500-gear-knob.html

The gearknob was in two parts so needs to be split to access the bolt and then reglued afterwards. I've seen new Pandas with the two part gearknob but also some single part ones where it looks like the gear layout coverplate needs removed for access to the screws. The gearknob doesn't need removed to get the old part off, so some clever design on the new gaiter using elastic might mitigate against you needing to remove the gearknob to fit.

Thanks - I will have a look later and see how similar mine looks. I hope that the Velcro join in the stock item is designed to allow it to be removed without having to first take the shift knob away.....

Great thread. I also plan to get my steering wheel cover with leather. It's so cheap looking now.