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On cold misty mornings the steering wheel on my M37 is sticky. It leaves black gunk on my hands when I drive it. Warm mornings or once the truck warms up the stickiness is gone. Anyone able to tell me what's going on here? Is this poor think dissolving in water?

-jim lee

Jim,

I've seen this twice on two different kinds of steering wheels. My Dad's '68 F250 had the stock hard rubber/plastic wheel like on the M37 and it acted the way you describe. Turned out to be just the dirt and grime that worked it's way into the plastic over the years. We gave it a good cleaning with Bug & Tar remover, then soap and water and that stopped that. The other wheel was the Sport Wheel on my 442, but that was rubber outgassing over the years and there's just nothing you can do for that.

regards,
bob

When it is sticky and icky, spray it with some 409 or other cleaner and wipe it down vigorously. You will be shocked at how much finger grease comes off. You will need to do it a couple of mornings in a row and then wear gloves to keep it from doing it again.

Mine did this and it seemed to be associated with the moisture in the air. I did as some others suggested and filled the cracks in mine with epoxy and after sanding the epoxy smooth, I lightly sanded the rest of the wheel and painted with a rattle can, gloss black. I haven't had any issues since.

Mark

Just to clarify... when warmed by the sun and the moisture was gone.. there was no sticky anything. When it was not sticky was when I filled the cracks and painted.

Mark

I'm gonna wrap mine in paracord so that shouldn't happen
and it will still have that Spartan military look