GT350 Steering wheel

[DarkSubRosa]

Maybe not difficult to you ;)
I am not good at fooling with parts of electronicals and mechanicals.

Can you turn a screw driver, because that's literally all it is. If you can unplug a harness and turn a screwdriver you can do the install.

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[Coaster]

Can you turn a screw driver, because that's literally all it is. If you can unplug a harness and turn a screwdriver you can do the install.

And one big nut...

 

[DarkSubRosa]

So I just wanted to clarify the top of the 350R is about 1mm thicker in diameter from top to bottom and forward to aft (the battery in my digital caliper is dead unfortunately to give exact measurements, have to use the old fashion way by using these things called eyes lol). Using a cheapy flexible tape measure it's just shy of 2mm thicker in circumference. It's enough to visually see and feel but probably doesn't make that much of a difference. I didn't measure the red leather strip as that is obviously thicker than the main portion of the wheel.

I haven't really taking any other measurements. The rest of the wheel certainly looks thicker. I'll take some more measurements once I put the wheel on later today when it warms up

The biggest difference I saw was the hump at 10 and 2. Stock wheel was 33mm and the R wheel was 36mm. The top portion was pretty much the same size. The R wheel measured 37mm wide up top vs 36mm on the stock.

 

[DarkSubRosa]

And one big nut...

yeah, one big ol nut that doesn't take hardly any ft lbs for it's size. big nuts.

 

[Need 4 Steed]

Go get a nice torque wrench, socket, loctite and a plastic pry tool for that much and do it yourself. It's really easy


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[Dirtyblueshirt]

Maybe not difficult to you ;)
I am not good at fooling with parts of electronicals and mechanicals.

I've done it a few times, I would have done it for you at a $30 discount t! [emoji38]


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[MustangS550]

Just received mine, dealership installs it in the morning. :clap2:

If anyone needs closeup pics of it fresh out of the box let me know and I will take/post some tonight.

Nice! Can't wait to see photo(s) of it once it's installed.

 

[Socalmustang]

Maybe not difficult to you ;)
I am not good at fooling with parts of electronicals and mechanicals.

How come you don't ask Tony to help you out with it? I'm sure he would charge probably half or less.

He's going to do my installs on my suspension stuff and he was significantly cheaper than everybody else...to the point i ordered more stuff lol

 

[SF-2015 GT]

Installed mine this weekend during halftime on one of the games, and barely missed much of the 3rd Quarter. The GT350 wheel should be standard on the PP models, especially the GT Premium. Ford, are you listening?

 

[klumpikat]

How come you don't ask Tony to help you out with it? I'm sure he would charge probably half or less.

He's going to do my installs on my suspension stuff and he was significantly cheaper than everybody else...to the point i ordered more stuff lol

In case anything should go awry upon switching out the parts and the computer gets messed up, Ford will cover it. That stuff just seems so delicate and touchy. (Any update from the guy in this thread whose menus got all wonky? )

Installing suspension stuff and the like? Hell yeah, I would ask Tony.

 

[dconfer]

Maybe not difficult to you ;)
I am not good at fooling with parts of electronicals and mechanicals.

I am right there with you. I would have it so messed up. I am going to call my dealer today and see what they would charge me. I want one but no way I would ever try it either.

 

[Socalmustang]

^ Not even with the video install they have?

I'm by no means mechanically inclined, but after watching the video, it seems something petty simple to do.

 

[Blk2015GT]

Installed mine this weekend during halftime on one of the games, and barely missed much of the 3rd Quarter. The GT350 wheel should be standard on the PP models, especially the GT Premium. Ford, are you listening?

The issue is longevity of Alcantara. Leather is MUCH more durable, and much easier to maintain, hence it's the stock option. Many of the "specialty" cards like GT350 aren't daily drivers (or presumed not to be) so they can default to a bit more delicate materials.

If you read over the net about BMW, Porsche and other high end cars with stock Alcantara wheels on daily driver cars the majority hate it long term. It's hard to clean, stains, and gets matted down/worn much easier than leather- it's just a lot more delicate of a material. Its nice for an occasionally driven car or track car for grip and feel.

I agree it should be an option when building a car, but not a default option. Here in the hot south my leather wheel already gets gunked up enough from hand oil/sweat. I couldn't imagine all of that caught up in little fibers, it would be a nightmare to clean.

 

[klumpikat]

I can see how the alcantara would wear out fairly quickly and will need to be replaced. I suppose I will cross that bridge when I come to it. :shrug:

Anyhoo...it's installed.

 

[redline727]

[MENTION=13194]Blk2015GT[/MENTION] I have found that since it's been really cold and when my hands are cold there is no more grip with it over leather. Maybe even less...I would definitely say grip would be maximized with some Alpine Star racing gloves, if you were tracking your car. I haven't had the wheel in the summer, but I can agree with the long term wear on a DD car. I'm a service advisor at BMW and see it quite a bit. But also depends on how well you take care of it too. I for one am not going to hop in it with dirty or greasy hands and expect it to clean as easily as leather. So keeping your dick beaters clean is important of the longevity of this wheel as well.

This is posted at Alcantara.com and a Tesla owners forum. Seemed useful.

Alcantara*- Is a composite material made of 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane giving this material increased durability and stain resistance. Its appearance and feel is similar to that of suede. Alcantara can be found covering your steering wheel, seats, dashboard, headliners, etc.

Maintenance
To preserve the beauty of Suede and or Alcantara is recommended that regular cleaning is performed. Application of a high quality fabric guard or coating is strongly recommended

DO NOT RUB TOO VIGOROUSLY, this will crush the texture and destroy the finish of both alcantara and suede.
The use of steam machines is not recommended when cleaning Alcantara. Steam can be used to clean suede (use with caution and at your own risk)

Regular Cleaning
Weekly cleaning or after every car wash- Use a soft brush (preferably a boar or horse hair brush), a dry cloth or simply a vacuum to remove the dust off the alcantara. After your suede or alcantara has been dusted, run aslightly*damped*(not soaked) white cotton cloth over it (a high quality cotton terry towel will do a better job than a microfiber towel). AVOID the use of printed cloths or papers as they can release ink onto the material.

Stain Removal
In the case of localised stains and when your specific cleaning product is not available you can clean the material as follows:
- ACT FAST (preferably within 30 mnts)*
- DO NOT pour any cleaning product directly onto the alcantara or suede.
- Remove as much of the spilled substance before you try to remove the stain.
- AVOID rubbing the affected area to prevent the stain from going deeper into the material.
- Use a well wrung white cloth or sponge to remove the stain (if a sponge is being used, rinse it in clean water and wring it very well between wipes).
- Begin treating the stain from the outside edge into the center to avoid spreading the stain.

Different types of stains and alternative products that should be used (if the recommended cleaning product isn't at hand).

Water Soluble Stains

Fruit juice, jam, jelly, syrup, ketchup, chocolate, ice cream and mustard - Use a white towel damped in lukewarm water; rinse by dabbing with a damped white towel in clean water.

Blood, eggs, excrement or urine - wipe with water at room temperature, rinse with clean water. AVOID the use of warm water because it will make this substances coagulate.

Vinegar, tomato sauce, coffee or hair gel - Pre-treat with lemon juice, then wipe with lukewarm water, rinse by dabbing with clean water.

Stains Not Soluble in Water

Makeup (Lipstick, foundation, mascara, eye shadow), perfume, she polish, grease or oil (in general), grass stain - Rub with ethyl alcohol (remember not to rub too hard), wipe with water and rinse by dabbing with clean water.

Chewing gum - Put a plastic bag full of ice on top of the gum, when the gum has become hard remove the pieces and then treat with ethyl alcohol.

Resistant Stains
Repeat treatments as often as necessary. Even the stains that are not soluble in water will often require to be treated with water afterwards.

Don't Know What Caused the Stain?
Treat with lukewarm water first, then rinse by dabbing with clean water. If the stain begins to dissolve in the water, repeat the treatment as often as necessary, allow to dry and, if necessary, treat with ethyl alcohol.

Product Recommendation

Swissvax cleaning brush

Swissvax alcantara cleaner

Chemical Guys Inner Clean*(save 28% with Coupon Code CGP28)

White Cotton Towels

303 Fabric Guard*(save 28% with Coupon Code 303FG)

GTechniq I1 Smart Fabric



Hope you find this article helpful. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Check out Youtube for How to videos about cleaning alcantara.


some information was taken fron Alcantara.com

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