Hi all,
Got lucky yesterday and found some leather at a good price. I had heard nothing from the Brisbane supplier so took a chance and contacted the local upholsterer who did my hood lining and other trim pieces and he had exactly what I needed- $25 and just enough I think to trim the steering wheel boss over the original rubberised  sheath. I have only the wife's sewing machine so will see if I can sew a small hem along the edge then use a punch to make the holes. Leather is 1.2mm so don't know how well it will handle it. Not sure if I will use thread or thin leather lacing to sew it up.  I am making a vinyl template first before tackling the leather version. Sorry, Deano- only the one 3 spoker.  Will have a SAAS wheel spare though when I change it over!
Cheers,

The steering wheel looks really nice and I bet if feels nice as well.

I spoke to the wife today about doing the template for the leather cover but looks like I will have to get it done by an upholsterer, far more technical to do, with the different inner and outer diameters and her machine probably won't be able to sew it, even if I could get the dimensions right. thought I would just get a strip and join it together but would end up with lumps and pleats on the inside because it needs to be stretched while being stitched.  Bummer not being able to get a ready made kit but can't find one to suit. Len

Hey mate did you change to a bias box just kept standard booster etc with the rear disc conversion?

NQRS
Hi All,
For those who have read my thread you will have heard me mention about gas struts for the bonnet - well, they are finaaaaally a reality. 

Hey NQRS,
 
How'd the gas bonnet struts work out?
 
Which struts did you end up going with?
 
Chuff

Hi Robbie,
No, My brake pedal system is standard. What I have to do now is to see if I can get the booster actuator to work quicker with the master cylinder actuator, I use half my brake pedal travel before the master cylinder starts working. I know it is adjustable but will have to take to a local brake shop to see if it can match up properly.

Hi Chuff,
I got my local gas strut guys to come by and we took some measurements and found a size to suit the bracket installation I had come up with. I have an RS so the bonnet configuration is very different to the standard Mark 2 Escort.  I took inspiration from a search on Google for struts for ( dare I say it ?) an  EH Holden.  Len

Hi all,
Some pics of the 20mm version of the original RS swaybar now fitted to the RS. The manufacturer has my original as a sample so can now make these for other Mk2 Escort owners. They all have the same mounting points as an RS so if you are interested in stiffening up your rear end you can contact Drive Industries near Sydney. They reckon they need to do a batch of 10 to make it worthwhile, they will be able to do them in different thicknesses- 12mm standard, 16mm or 20mm like mine. The biggest part of the process is getting the ends machined and making the adjustable ends to fit. I don't know what costs would be as I did a special deal through my local spring works here. Anyone interested?

looks great Len.
How did you get on with the wheel?

Hi Deano,
Steering wheel came out nice. Was a bugger of a job to strip the spokes of the wheel, must have been painted originally with a very hard enamel. Ended up using a flap disc on my grinder to get it all cleaned then etch prime and epoxy enamel in semi-gloss to match the original finish. Upholsterer did a very neat job with the leather wrap and also had enough hide left to wrap the mounting boss as well. Smaller diameter than the SAAS wheel I had on but still steers ok, took it out for it's first club cruise last Friday. Will probably put the SAAS wheel up for sale to get back some of the costs.