*IMPORTANT* You can screw your wheel up if you don't know what you're
doing. I've worked in Maintenance electronics for over 10 years. I've
only been seriously shocked 6 times or so.
*IMPORTANT* Only use a cleaner with a lubricant. A dry cleaner will lead
to excessive wear in the potentiometer.
*IMPORTANT* Always work safely with electronics. I wear a condom.
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Although this wheel is relatively inexpensive, it is very easy to access
the potentiometer for cleaning.
*TOOLS YOU WILL NEED* A good smaller phillips screwdriver, a jewelers or
very small phillips screwdriver for the two tiny screws holding the
potentiometer bracket. A good, lubricating electronic cleaner (make sure
it says lubricating on it). A flashlight in case any of the screws
bounce under the couch.
(1) Place the wheel, horn button side down, on a flat surface. If you
place it on the floor the screws will have less distance to fall, and
less likely to ricochet under the couch, down an air register, etc.
(2) Remove the 9 screws from the back of the steering wheel. 6 along the
back of the rim. 3 more towards the center.
(3) Gently remove the horn button side of the wheel. Mine came apart
quite easily. Set the two orange buttons aside for later
re-installation.
(4) Locate the potentiometer. It's mounted on a small piece of plastic
held in place by 2 very small chrome plated screws, 2 wires going to it.
(5) Remove the 2 small screws holding the potentiometer and bracket in
place. Tip the unit so the gear attached clears and lift out, being
careful not to break the wires.
(6) Clean the potentiometer with a good cleaner and Lubricant (Radio
Shack Tuner Cleaner and Lubricant or Cramolin, etc.).
(7) You may want to lube the gear with a bit of grease or Vaseline.
(8) There is a flat on the shaft going into the gear. Re-assemble with
this flat side of the shaft pointing towards the center of the wheel,
with the wheel centered. I.E. Potentiometer is centered.
(9) Insert the two orange buttons and re-assemble wheel rim.
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After cleaning and lubing the pot with Cramolin, my wheel is so smooth,
I can hardly believe it.
2_Slow
Jim--
Thanks for the excellent post! I've tried to find Cramolin at a decent
price, but the only place I've seen it is in audio stores, where it is
exorbitant. Any hot sources?
Thanks
BB
