porous wheels

[mach8]

I have chrome directionals on my 96 Mark VIII. One of them started having a slow leak after new tires were mounted. I went back in and had things checked out to find corrosion on the inside of the wheel and a pinhole leak through the wheel. I was told this was something often seen with chromed wheels, Lexus, Mercedes, etc., and no they couldn't fix it. The local FORD dealer said they couldn't fix it or supply any way to inhibit the corrosion. Buy a new wheel from us that will go the way of this one was their "solution". I even showed them in the service manual how leaks in the wheel were to be sealed complete with FORD part numbers for the stuff required for the repair. No dice (although the parts desk guy did admit they'd had porosity problems with wheels and had exchanged many of them). So far I've been unable to find anyone who will seal this leak. Any ideas.

 

[driller]

BS. Drop the dealer and find a good wheel/tire shop. Have them dismount the tires and inspect the wheels.

1) Alloy wheels may corrode and loose air pressure at the bead of the tire or seat of the valve stem in tubeless applications. Corrosion on alloy wheels is akin to rust on steel wheels.

2) Wheel porosity is nothing new - but is getting more rare? A good shop will be able to fix 'em - no biggy. If they give you a line dance, go somewhere else - you don't want them.

 

[mach8]

I'm sure the dealer is full of it, But I have yet to find anyplace around here that will take care of things. It's been alot of "we used to do that but-----"

 

[Lincolnlov]

I have chrome directionals on my 96 Mark VIII. One of them started having a slow leak after new tires were mounted. I went back in and had things checked out to find corrosion on the inside of the wheel and a pinhole leak through the wheel. I was told this was something often seen with chromed wheels, Lexus, Mercedes, etc., and no they couldn't fix it. The local FORD dealer said they couldn't fix it or supply any way to inhibit the corrosion. Buy a new wheel from us that will go the way of this one was their "solution". I even showed them in the service manual how leaks in the wheel were to be sealed complete with FORD part numbers for the stuff required for the repair. No dice (although the parts desk guy did admit they'd had porosity problems with wheels and had exchanged many of them). So far I've been unable to find anyone who will seal this leak. Any ideas.

Mach8,
Had that problem once with a Mercedes. Dealers no help. New tires also didn't help. Went to tire places that removed, cleaned, remounted etc. No one ever solved the problem. Sold the car and later concluded that if it was not a problem with the bead I could have just sprayed the inside of the rim with clear plastic to seal any pin hole. Its low tech and worth a try. No? Lincolnlov

 

[BlackIceLSC]

The answer is a liquid rubber cement. I have probably saved at least 15-20 sets of chrome wheels from the smelter. i ran a tire shop for 10 years.

they need to dismount the tire from the rim, use a fine-wire brush to clean away the corrosion/peeling chrome from the bead lock surface, and apply a thin layer of rubber sealant(cement) to both bead lock surfaces. Then re-mount the tire and have it re-balanced.

call around...any tire shop that has ever dealt with true-spokes, or a wire wheel (like on ald jag's/MG's) will know what to do.

if all else fails, you can do the repair yourself.

if the wheel truely has enough corrosion to have a friggin hole in it...toss that wheel... you dont want it.

remember, compressed air contains moisture. Tires build heat as you drive, and heat can also create condensation. This moisture/condensation easily corrodes the chrome plating on the inside surfaces of the wheel. the chrome is just a thin layer that is bonded to the wheel...like your girl's fingernail polish...the moisture causes the chrome to lift, and the air seeps out between the wheel surface and the bead of the tire.

FWIW, I used to run a Mark Morris tire store...we specialized in high-dollar cars, as well as cheap-o's...but we were in SF where there was a clientelle to support our specialty.

If memory calls, you are in Fairfield. There is a mark Morris in walnut creek that can do this, as well as one in San Fran...PM me, and I'll hook you up with Charlie...he is the wheel specialist at my old store in SF.

call Charlie at
(415) 673-3441

tell him "Craig" sent you...tell him the problem, and he'll know what to do. But, like I said...if you have a hole in one wheel...toss it.

 

[mach8]

I've found a shop in Stockton that says they can fix it. They fix totally busted up alloy wheels. So I'll go by and see what kind of work they do.


Isn't there some paint or something you can use to prevent the corrosion? I'm going to sheck with some aircraft and marine suppliers.

 

[oldschoolricky]

I have chrome directionals on my 96 Mark VIII. One of them started having a slow leak after new tires were mounted. I went back in and had things checked out to find corrosion on the inside of the wheel and a pinhole leak through the wheel. I was told this was something often seen with chromed wheels, Lexus, Mercedes, etc., and no they couldn't fix it. The local FORD dealer said they couldn't fix it or supply any way to inhibit the corrosion. Buy a new wheel from us that will go the way of this one was their "solution". I even showed them in the service manual how leaks in the wheel were to be sealed complete with FORD part numbers for the stuff required for the repair. No dice (although the parts desk guy did admit they'd had porosity problems with wheels and had exchanged many of them). So far I've been unable to find anyone who will seal this leak. Any ideas.

what you can do is coat the rim with thin layer of tranny fluid and put a tube on that rim you will hold your air and protect your rim

 

[BlackIceLSC]

what you can do is coat the rim with thin layer of tranny fluid and put a tube on that rim you will hold your air and protect your rim

Wrong. a tubeless tire should NEVER have a tube in it, for everyday use. its a radial tire. You'll end up driving a time bomb. Unless you meant trimming an old 12" tube, and using it like a girdle on the inner wheel shell. That will also work to seal the chrome, but unfortunately, the only "true" proven method is to sprinkle baby powder inside the tire before installing it. The baby powder helps evaporate any moisture in the compressed air.

That "wheel center" in Stockton is one of the country's best wheel repair centers. I have seen some magical, and downright miraculous wheel repairs come from that shop.

They took an old magnesium F1 wheel from the 60's, and saved it....thats almost God-like.

anyway...like ordering a Sam Adams...going to that shop is "...always a good decision".