Chrome over Alum wheels on 300M

[jlshields]

Having trouble holding air on all four corners.<br />85,000 miles on original equipment 17" chrome over aluminum wheels are corroding around the bead causing air loss.<br />Anyone else with this problem and how did you solve it?<br />Thanks<br />John

 

[JB]

Re: Chrome over Alum wheels on 300M

Put on some wheels that will work as intended. The bling isn't worth the trouble.<br /><br />Had that problem with front wheels on a '95 Windstar. Changed wheels twice to no avail. I think it was just poor suspension design overstressing the beads.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Chrome over Alum wheels on 300M

Is it the right front tire in particular?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Chrome over Alum wheels on 300M

A good tire shop will break them down, lightly sand the bead and reseal. Be advised that aluminum wheels are pourus and they might be leaking throught the wheel. I had this happen on a Ford SHO I had. I ended up painting the wheel inside the rim with an epoxy primer filler which worked.

 

[jlshields]

Re: Chrome over Alum wheels on 300M

JB,<br />I don't understand your comment 'wheels that will work as intended'. These wheels are original equipment and were on the car when I purchased it. Wouldn't you suppose they would 'work as intended'?<br />As for 'bling', I'm 64 years old and could care less about 'bling'. <br />Corrosion is the problem here, not suspension.<br />Pointer,<br />Not right front in particular. All four to the tune of 5 to 10 # per week.<br />Bob,<br />I pulled the wheels and it's around the bead. They had some corrosion when I put new Eagles on this spring. I was just wondering what to expect from the tire shop.<br />Thanks to all<br />John

 

[rattana]

Re: Chrome over Alum wheels on 300M

I too have aluminum wheels on my car. I have went through 2 sets of tires since I have owned the vehicle. It seems at about 40,000 miles they start to leak around the bead. The shop just has to remove the tires and clean the bead area and re-install them. Since I buy my tires the same place as they install them, they will do this for free. Kind of a pain, but I do like aluminum wheels.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Chrome over Alum wheels on 300M

Frequently on a front drive, the right front is the drive wheel and has a propensity to run low. Or so my tire guy tells me. This low tire things do seem to be more common on some of the higher grade rims. Kind of strange. I agree light sand and seal. No fun, not fair, but seems par for the course. Just be happy you don't have a saab. Those things are ready to warranty right out of the box.

 

[fireship1]

Re: Chrome over Alum wheels on 300M

JLS, Bob has part of the solution right there. When I was a Ford service tech we would see this problem quite often. Breaking down the tire sanding the rim where it contacts the bead and the application of a special hot melt glue stick with a propane torch where the service manual cure alls. The glue acts as a gasket and gives the bead a place to seal. I don't know if any tire shop does it this way, but Ford does.