Leather steering wheel

[kalmon]

My Vz Crewman in the last week has been peeling leather on the steering wheel. Its almost like a fine skin is peeling off. Holden say this is wear and tear and doubt its a warranty issue, at 35,000 kms. Any one else had this issue as they have its happened before and has not been covered.

[Big_Valven]

Take it back and tell them it's not good enough. Leather should not peel from the wheel at 30,000 odd kays. We've had some at 150,000 kays with no signs of wear.

It's obviously a quality issue with the wheel, unless you drive with knives which I doubt.

[AFAR]

Ford replaced my oldies 2002 (i think)? Fairlaine stearing wheel when it started to just peel.
Is it just little flakes peeling off?
Thats what they had.


However Ford are better at keeping customers more happy than Holden are.

[Leatherman]

Tell them the finish adhesion is substandard and that you want it replaced. If they get funny with you ask them for the adhesion of finish specification for the leather they use and see what they say.

Rgds,

Leatherman

[planetdavo]

However Ford are better at keeping customers more happy than Holden are.
You serious?
Go to any ford forum and they'll tell you how sh!t there's are.
Funny how any brands forums always whinge about how bad things are for their product....


My Vz Crewman in the last week has been peeling leather on the steering wheel. Its almost like a fine skin is peeling off. Holden say this is wear and tear and doubt its a warranty issue, at 35,000 kms. Any one else had this issue as they have its happened before and has not been covered.
Yes, "technically" it is a wear and tear issue, because hands are continually rubbing the surface as you turn ( and some peoples techniques are particularly hard on the surface!), but most dealers will process a claim on it, as long as you haven't been an idiot to the dealer, abusing them and so forth. Ask to see the service manager if you haven't already, and talk CALMLY to them. If you have reached that level, ask for the area manager to be involved. As he is from Holden (the manufacturer, not the dealer) he has the final word.

[kalmon]

i will try to post a photo this arvo. Warranty covers your car for 3 years, so products in the car should be able to withstand every day use for this time. Leather seats havent peeled and I rub on them constantly nor gearstick. I am waiting on their official response but when I spoke to them they made it clear it was unlikely to be replaced.

[kalmon]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q176/kalmonc/Photo0060.jpg

[BLAZEY]

warranty for sure mate...take it to another dealer ship...

[fleety77]

mate thats shit dont cop it, keep us updated

[ssgirl2]

Yes, "technically" it is a wear and tear issue, because hands are continually rubbing the surface as you turn ( and some peoples techniques are particularly hard on the surface!), but most dealers will process a claim on it, as long as you haven't been an idiot to the dealer, abusing them and so forth. Ask to see the service manager if you haven't already, and talk CALMLY to them. If you have reached that level, ask for the area manager to be involved. As he is from Holden (the manufacturer, not the dealer) he has the final word.

What davo said :D

Is that the only place on the steering wheel that is flaking?

[eldan89]

Do you drive with knuckle dusters on? :p That is totally unacceptable, I wouldn't rest until that steering wheel has been replaced. Remember that sometimes Holden can be a little tight when it comes to warranty issues, so i would follow planetdavo's approach.

[kalmon]

Has a little nick on it on other side caused by unknown reason I take responsability. But has not even started to peel like this. Only done it at this one place

[ssgirl2]

Has a little nick on it on other side caused by unknown reason I take responsability. But has not even started to peel like this. Only done it at this one place

IMHO that's good...it means that they can't blame it on chemicals on your hands - if that was the case, surely it would be all over the steering wheel.

SS:girl:2

[Drewxt]

I'd have thought it was warranty... the seat in my my Forester XT cracked after about 120,000 km, and Subaru gave me a new seat pad without even flinching...

This is not as severe damage, but I'd have thought warranty for sure...

[Leatherman]

For sure it is an adhesion issue of the coating (or as we in the trade call it 'the finish') having low adhesion to the base leather. Even if it gets rubbed, which there are tests for with perspiration soaked pads, it should not do this. Faulty leather for sure - and with 17 years in the trade, I should know :) It is definitely a warranty issue.

Rgds,

Leatherman

[kalmon]

Still waitibg for them to respond back to me, will keep it updated.

[Tonner]

Yeah thats foolish of them not to agree its warranty.

Our ex concretor's tonner was worn on the spokes and only a bit shabby in places, and a bit dusty like my 200k wheel on the other ute.

btw. I just grabbed a new leather one from Ebay, and she's all good so far.

[kalmon]

Penfold holden has just told me the area manager has rejected the claim as it is due to general waer and tear

[Tonner]

You've got to try another dealer, thats just wrong.

[Leatherman]

Penfold holden has just told me the area manager has rejected the claim as it is due to general waer and tear

Agree with Tonner - try another dealer. It sounds like a shoddy dealership to me. I had the area manager come and see my seats onmy monaro when they shrunk so much that the stitching burst. He tried to tell me about leather.... then I gave him a whole degree lecture in the science..... result..... issue fixed :)

Quite simply the coating should not delaminate like that. It can wear and slowly rub away, but not actually peel like that. They are definitely wrong.

Keep at 'em. Cheers,

Leatherman

[planetdavo]

You've got to try another dealer, thats just wrong.
Same area manager will be dealing with it....
The picture shown earlier is just WAY beyond any of the ones I have seen replaced under warranty. They rub through, nothing like this one. I'm in no way saying this is the case, but it LOOKS more like someone has been picking at the edges of an initial cut to the leather surface (ring, tool, nail etc), or that an initial cut has been rubbed open from use of the wheel....

[kalmon]

Not that, this is what happened but even if cut and you tried to peel it shouldnt come apart and it should be glued/ laminated together?. Yes as I contnue to drive it is continually peeling worse as it gets rubbed.

[Donny05]

Hi Leatherman,

I have a Momo steering wheel from a Brock Commodore I am restoring that needs fixing. Do you work somewhere that does this type of thing or can recommend somewhere. I want a top job done and I am hoping it can be done like the original without any stitching. I am in Tassie but will send it wherever.

Cheers, Jason

[Leatherman]

Hi Leatherman,

I have a Momo steering wheel from a Brock Commodore I am restoring that needs fixing. Do you work somewhere that does this type of thing or can recommend somewhere. I want a top job done and I am hoping it can be done like the original without any stitching. I am in Tassie but will send it wherever.

Cheers, Jason

No sorry Jason. I just make the leather. I suggest you look at a local trimmer to complete this. Loads advertised in the car magazines. Cheers,

Leatherman

[kalmon]

Holden have reconsidered their decision and decided to replace wheel under warranty. Due to a letter supplied by leatherman after his inspection of photos. Explaining that leather should not peel. They have also agreed to pay his invoice

[ssgirl2]

Another fine example of LS1er's helping each other out :bounce:

Congratulations kalmon and :bow: Leatherman!

SS:girl:2

[Cobalt]

Got mine replaced fopr less than that. They even replaced the Handbrake and the Gear Knob on the Munro. It was simply discoloured. they will try it on as they want to reduce warranty work. If you push and push nicely it usually gets done.

It Helps to know the Holden State Manager (DOH He doesn't work there now)and have him book it in for you. Also organised a loaner. Dealer asked who the F%$k are you and why is all this stuff approved. On the invoice from holden dealer said next to each item - approved Barry Yeates. Seems it again is who you know not what. It was 6 pages long. $14K in repairs. All related to leaks/ interior problems and minor engine stuff ie pcb leaking etc (no rebuild). Completely new interior incl door trims. Carpet was totally stuffed smelly and mildue from all the leaks.

All Good Fun

Chad

[kalmon]

After the dealer agreeing to fit the new leather steering wheel. When I collected the car, my previous wheel had silver spokes and white stitching. The new wheel had black spokes with black stitching, the had not noticed. Have now said they will look into it. Same saga starts again

[WOMBIE]

That's just piss poor on Holdens behalf,what ever happened to attention to detail in this day and age ffs.

[Big_Valven]

Good work to both of you for getting it approved, it seems leatherman must have quite a name in leather (crappy pun intended)

As for them getting the colours wrong, that's plain retarded. They could have done much better than that and I am guessing it came down the a case of them ordering the wrong thing and hoping you won't notice. No one's stupid enough not to notice they ordered the completely wrong wheel.