Chrome/alum wheel problem

[jlshields]

My wife's '99 Chrysler 300M has the chrome plated aluminum 17" wheels and has a slow leak around the bead on one wheel. When I broke it down, I found some of the chrome plating was gone and the alum had started to oxidize leaving a rough place where the tire should seal. I wire brushed the area, applied orange RTV to the wheel and re-inflated the tire. DIDN'T WORK. Any suggestions?<br /><br />Thanks, John

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Chrome/alum wheel problem

Not sure exactly what it is, but the tire pros here use some black gooey stuff for sealing troublesome beads. I've had it done to a leaky rim in the past and it worked well. Check with a tire place or two and see if they will tell you what they use or maybe have them do it.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Chrome/alum wheel problem

Its probably worse now!!!<br /><br />What I have done with a couple Porsche wheels that were doing the same thing was to machine wire the beads, and then paint them with a thick enamel with a brush, (just the bead). If you dont have thick paint, pour some in a small container and leave the lid off for a couple days and stir it once in awhile so it doesnt skin over. You are going to have to "really" clean them to get that silicone off. Laquer thinner or acetone.

 

[jlshields]

Re: Chrome/alum wheel problem

Thanks guys, I'll try one or the other. Haven't decided yet.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Chrome/alum wheel problem

I use a product by Tech (Not walmart but the tire people) that is blue and turns black when dry. If I have a really stubborn wheel I will use wheel bearing grease to seat it. I won't recoommend the grease for liability reasons but it WORKS.