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Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:08 am
by rcox58
One of my wheels is losing about 15 lbs of pressure every other day. I took it in to have the tire checked and was advised that it has no leaks. The problem appears to be that the rim is corroded where the tire bead sits against it. The shop tried to clean up the rim as best they could but it still just won't hold air. I heard somebody else comment that the chrome has corroded off the wheel in that area and that's what makes it leak.

Is there a solution other than replacing the rim? My pea brain automatically thought: What if I clean up the corroded are as much as possible and re-cover with a spray chrome (or somehing else someone recommends?) that might allow the tire to re-seat properly and stop the air loss. Can anyone tell me if that's been tried, worked/failed or what else might be an alternative to replacing the rim?

Worst case, I guess I just go on-line and look for a used rim with no corrosion. I got beat years ago by a Pontiac dealer who sold me a new rim for close to $600 back when I had money.

Once again, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:43 pm
by redzmonte
If they cant clean it up good enough then check with "harofreak00" he sells stock used parts i be he has some rims.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=69

S

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:05 am
by 00Beast
Go to a different shop. Where I worked we had a grinder with a wire wheel mounted to the tire machine to grind beads clean, as it's a common issue on lots of rims. They will be able to clean it up and have it hold air.

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:53 am
by Grimm
I had the same issue about two years ago on one wheel. Took it to Discount for new tires, and they cleaned up the rims just fine. Been holding air good ever since. I've only had to top them off a couple pounds after winter.

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:11 pm
by 01bonneSC
They should wire wheel it like Ed said and then use Bead Sealer, it's a thick as hell tar type sealer. I've done that a thousand times.

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:42 pm
by 00Beast
I saw some disgusting wheels, and never had to do anything but grind them clean.

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:24 pm
by Steelworker26
I purchased 4 Goodyear assurance tires (noisy by the way and terrible traction) cause my previous tires were worn. Paid 800 bucks for them. Six days later all 4 tires were low. Took it back to where they were purchased and spoke with the installer. He said the inside of my rims were corroded. Nothing except new rims or getting them re-chromed would work. He did try and clean them to no avail. After getting tired of filling my tires every week I snooped my rims (product used to find gas leaks in welding systems) and bubbles were forming on both sides of the tires. So I busted them off my rims and put in some grey pipe sealer. Worked really well for about 6 months.

Long story short front tires wore out prematurly- bought 2 Michelin Primacy tires without doing anything to the rims. They hold air for months without needing refilled and then just a pound or two.

Two back goodyears still leak where I am back to once a week filling them up.

The Michelin tires are as smooth running a tire I have ever had with great traction. I can only assume the design on the rim contact area is softer or more plyable.

Problem with buying new Pontiac Chrome rims is they are Pontiac chrome rims...they will all corrode. A better tire is needed

My 2 cents

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:38 pm
by 01bonneSC
Steelworker26 wrote:I purchased 4 Goodyear assurance tires (noisy by the way and terrible traction) cause my previous tires were worn. Paid 800 bucks for them. Six days later all 4 tires were low. Took it back to where they were purchased and spoke with the installer. He said the inside of my rims were corroded. Nothing except new rims or getting them re-chromed would work. He did try and clean them to no avail. After getting tired of filling my tires every week I snooped my rims (product used to find gas leaks in welding systems) and bubbles were forming on both sides of the tires. So I busted them off my rims and put in some grey pipe sealer. Worked really well for about 6 months.

Long story short front tires wore out prematurly- bought 2 Michelin Primacy tires without doing anything to the rims. They hold air for months without needing refilled and then just a pound or two.

Two back goodyears still leak where I am back to once a week filling them up.

The Michelin tires are as smooth running a tire I have ever had with great traction. I can only assume the design on the rim contact area is softer or more plyable.

Problem with buying new Pontiac Chrome rims is they are Pontiac chrome rims...they will all corrode. A better tire is needed

My 2 cents
Ford aluminum rims are worse....trust me.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure there isn't chrome on the bead side of the rim with our chrome rims?

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:04 pm
by Steelworker26
You may be right but I suspect the whole rim was dipped and only the exterior polished to the shine. I am pretty sure although I have never tested for magnetivity that our rims are mild steel. If they are then I suspect they are coated entirly.

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:08 pm
by 01bonneSC
Steelworker26 wrote:You may be right but I suspect the whole rim was dipped and only the exterior polished to the shine. I am pretty sure although I have never tested for magnetivity that our rims are mild steel. If they are then I suspect they are coated entirly.
Pretty sure they are aluminum.

Re: Stock Chrome Rim Not Holding Air

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:14 pm
by Steelworker26
01bonneSC wrote:
Steelworker26 wrote:You may be right but I suspect the whole rim was dipped and only the exterior polished to the shine. I am pretty sure although I have never tested for magnetivity that our rims are mild steel. If they are then I suspect they are coated entirly.
Pretty sure they are aluminum.
As I think about it I think your right.