Building up plastic

[Seattle Sam]

The hard plastic "horn bar" (center section) for my '70 steering wheel has two bosses molded into the back. These bosses receive brass inserts which appear to have been pressed in. The brass inserts receive Phillips screws which attach the center section to the metal horn actuator and thus to the steering wheel.

On the standard wheel I have, the inserts have been pressed in level with the top of the bosses.

On the burled wood SS wheel, the inserts are not pressed all the way in (about a 1/4 inch out), and one of the bosses has a side broken off.

I have two questions: Should I try to press the brass inserts the rest of the way in on the SS center section? Will I risk breaking the bosses worse than they are now? If I dont press them in, won't the center section sit noticeably too far from the steering wheel?

AND, What is a good product to build up the boss where the piece is broken off, so there is support around all 360 degrees of the insert?

Thanks for any help on this -
-Sam

[SS454]

Not sure about pressing them on but as for what product to use 3M makes a system call AutoMix which is a two part epoxy that will work great. We use these in collision shops every day and the part # that will work good is 08115 it's called panel bond for putting on door skins and other sheet metal with out welding. But it works great on steering wheels i have some drying right now on my 69 SS wheel. Hope this helps.

[Seattle Sam]

Thanks Rick, how do you apply it? The spec sheet says a 3M 08117 applicator gun is required?

-Sam

[SS454]

Yah you need the gun. If you buy 6 08115 i will throw in the gun for free. Thats what i do for my shops. If you know some one at a collision shop they should have one that you can use for a night. Other wise the gun sells to the shop for around $100.00 List is $170.00 give or take. Most jobbers will sell it to you for what they sell it shops for at least we do. Let me know if can,t find one can get you at 10% over cost plus shipping.

[Rainer]

Sam - Another alternative is a more generic type epoxy like JB Weld. I use this regularly to repair steering wheels and a variety of plastic parts. Cost will be around $5 at Walmart or any hardware store.

[CamarosRus]

Sam, How about the DurAMix line of products....I have the gun for that you can borrow.........