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Nasty Steering Wheel

beyondloadedSE

Your leather wheel looks like new as well as the shifter. I bet these cars are really sweet with a 5-speed?

Unfortunately this 98 SE I am looking at has been neglected both in and out. The gray leather wheel is actually shredded across the entire top half.

G.
 
If you want a "direct swap" steering wheel with a superior leather wrap (in terms of quality vs Contour, Cougar leather wrap does not turn to mush over time) get a 99-00 Cougar one. Only one color (black) but you could easily paint your airbag black to match or get a Cougar Airbag for a perfect match and get Parkedcar to make a vynyl overlay for the Cougar emblem in the middle of the wheel and your set (make it say SVT, Ford, etc). You can pick up the steering wheel and airbag cheap.

2415
 
deesea said:
is it possible to buy one from someone parting out their car?
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Sure, NECO has a lively for sale section and part-out's are frequent. Just as easy to pick up one off Car-parts.com and likely cheaper too. Many junkyards will email you a pic if you ask them too. I would say you should be able to score the Steering wheel and Airbag for under $100.

Happy hunting :)



FYI: Advantages of Cougar wheel over Contour are....

1. Leather is much higher quality, wont turn mushy and color does not rub off when cleaned/conditioned. I know this from personal experience. Six years of use (Cougar) and it looked as good as the day I bought it new.

2. Leather is perforated, better look IMO

3. Leather wrap actually covers the 4 small inlet spokes unlike the Contour wheel giving it a more uniform and seamless look.

4. Direct Swap, nothing extra needed.

5. Cheap and easy to find either through NECO or Car-parts.com
 
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I can't believe how Ford cheapened up these cars over the years. My '95 LS with 145K has a full leather wheel, spokes and all, and the leather looks brand new. I've noticed this on not only Fords, but a lot of late-model cars with leather wheels. Yikes.
 
Icefury said:
Sure, NECO has a lively for sale section and part-out's are frequent. Just as easy to pick up one off Car-parts.com and likely cheaper too. Many junkyards will email you a pic if you ask them too. I would say you should be able to score the Steering wheel and Airbag for under $100.

Happy hunting :)



FYI: Advantages of Cougar wheel over Contour are....

1. Leather is much higher quality, wont turn mushy and color does not rub off when cleaned/conditioned. I know this from personal experience. Six years of use (Cougar) and it looked as good as the day I bought it new.

2. Leather is perforated, better look IMO

3. Leather wrap actually covers the 4 small inlet spokes unlike the Contour wheel giving it a more uniform and seamless look.

4. Direct Swap, nothing extra needed.

5. Cheap and easy to find either through NECO or Car-parts.com
Click to expand...

While I love the Cougar leather wheels, I just can't stand mismatched colors in my interior. The black wheel just stands out way too much with the Midnight Blue. Yes, I know most of the interior trim is black, but it just looks out of place on the steering wheel for some reason.
 
CSVT1214 said:
While I love the Cougar leather wheels, I just can't stand mismatched colors in my interior. The black wheel just stands out way too much with the Midnight Blue. Yes, I know most of the interior trim is black, but it just looks out of place on the steering wheel for some reason.
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I cant be certain, but perhaps the Cougar steering column plastic (black) would help blend it in better. I dont know if the Cougar's steering column plastic is a perfect fir on the Contour but they look identical working from memory (Owned a 99 Cougar).

I'm sure the plastic could be picked up cheap from an autowrecker. Might be worth the few $$$ gamble if it works.

Do you have the Cougar wheel installed? Can you share a pic if so?
 
well, the steering wheel came in today. i couldnt be more pleased. its MB, and is absofrigginlutely beeeautiful
 
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