Bead leaks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Bead leaks
I finally broke down and bought new tires for my '79. Decided it was a good time to buy those Torque-Thrust wheels I have been admiring for a few years as well. Here's the question. Every aluminum wheel I have ever owned started leaking at the bead after few years as a result of the aluminum corroding. Is there any way of treating the bead and/or rim when I install the tires to prevent this from happening?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
I will take them in to a tire shop for balancing, but I will mount the tires myself. Too many bad experiences with careless tire 'technicians'. Besides I can't see its worth paying $20 a tire to have someone do what I can do myself in ten minutes. I use a soap solution to lubricate the bead and to be honest I haven't had a problem with any I've done myself yet, but my experience is aluminum rims all leak given enough time. I'm wondering if anyone has found a sealant or lubricant that will prevent the bead surface of the aluminum rim from corroding over time, and causing leakage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
I keep a quart of bead sealer from Napa on hand. One can lasts a couple years. I do most of my own tires myself and always use bead sealer on the inside rim/lip. Just don't waste any time once you coat it and put the tire on, if it starts to setup, can be a bear to get the tire to slide past it and seat...I had some rims so rusty from being buried in mud there were holes through the rim. mig welded a missing piece of lip and a little bead seal and still holding after 3 yrs...
