Air leaking from wheel
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 41
From: Chehalis, WA
Air leaking from wheel
I have a very slow leak on the left front tire of my 76, so I popped into a tire shop to have it fixed. The tire guy comes out from the shop and says he needs to show me something. Uh oh. He has the tire/wheel in a tank and shows me where the bubble is originating. It's not leaking from the tire or the bead, but from the middle of the rim. WTF? I asked the guy if he had ever seen that before, and he said that it was not that uncommon. The air was probably coming from a tiny crack or weld, and he recommended a new wheel. So, the tires are B F Goodrich Radial TA's 245 60R15 100S. The wheels are original (I think) Corvette Rallye Wheels with the rings and center caps. Does this sound like the Rallye 15x8 wheel with the 4 1/2 offset to accompany the 245 60R15 TA? If so, I'll order one from one of the catalogs I have. Thanks.
Tom
Tom
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,703
Likes: 2,572
It sounds sort of correct except the original wheel has a 4" backspace. Are you asking if the wheel is original, would need to see the markings on the wheel. As far as the tire size, that was never a factory size.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 6,375
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
In 1977 & '78, the Corvette aluminum wheels were notorious for leaking right through the castings. We would get new Corvettes in on the transporters with flat tires. Leak checks would show that the wheels themselves were leaking - not the tires. Not an uncommon problem at all. Chevy had a hard time keeping up with the warranty demand for replacement Rally wheels, and Corvettes would often sit on the lot with flat tires for over a month at a time. Not surprising at all to hear you have a '76 with leaking wheels.
Lars
Lars
Last edited by lars; Feb 20, 2020 at 10:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Tom, if you can mark the area of the wheel where it is leaking and remove the tire, check to see if it is a structural flaw or an actual crack. If you can find the flaw/crack, you may be able to weld it. If not and the wheels still seems structurally sound, mix up some epoxy and spread it over the inside of the wheel in the area where the air was escaping.
If you do find evidence of a flaw or crack, do post some pictures of it if you can.
Good luck... GUSTO
If you do find evidence of a flaw or crack, do post some pictures of it if you can.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 41
From: Chehalis, WA
Hey Mel,
The tire guys could not find any markings for the size. I know, odd. I do know that I need the exact wheel size before I order a new one. I'm taking the car to a legit Corvette shop next Tuesday for a little item, and I'm sure they can tell me for sure.
Lars, it's good to know that this was not some anomaly, and I'm not nuts. Well, I could be nuts, but there was air escaping from the wheel, and from your accounts, happened frequently.
Gusto, a new wheel can be had for around $100., so I think I will do that and avoid all the hassle, knowing that I have a new wheel that is intact.
Rev, I think the tire has been leaking since I acquired it about a year ago. It's a very slow leak almost indiscernible. After not driving the car for a spell, I would check pressure, and it would be at 17 or 18 lbs. So I would just add some air, but that was getting old, needless to say.
Thanks for your responses.
The tire guys could not find any markings for the size. I know, odd. I do know that I need the exact wheel size before I order a new one. I'm taking the car to a legit Corvette shop next Tuesday for a little item, and I'm sure they can tell me for sure.
Lars, it's good to know that this was not some anomaly, and I'm not nuts. Well, I could be nuts, but there was air escaping from the wheel, and from your accounts, happened frequently.
Gusto, a new wheel can be had for around $100., so I think I will do that and avoid all the hassle, knowing that I have a new wheel that is intact.
Rev, I think the tire has been leaking since I acquired it about a year ago. It's a very slow leak almost indiscernible. After not driving the car for a spell, I would check pressure, and it would be at 17 or 18 lbs. So I would just add some air, but that was getting old, needless to say.
Thanks for your responses.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
Assume op has steel wheel?
if aluminum correct as pointed out for porosity and can be epoxied or even painted sometimes. Steel check for pinhole weld etc..corrosion non starter.
modern wheels are now helium checked..
used to water submerge, then vacuum air, then nitrogen, now helium..
if aluminum correct as pointed out for porosity and can be epoxied or even painted sometimes. Steel check for pinhole weld etc..corrosion non starter.
modern wheels are now helium checked..
used to water submerge, then vacuum air, then nitrogen, now helium..
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
As Lars posted this was common on the 78-79 wheels which in the old days we'd just spray some enamel paint on the rims and re-mount the tires.... or deal with the warranty.
My own low mileage 78 also was a victim of this... The only issue is that the wheels were replaced before I owned the car but they were replaced by us and we still had the original leaking wheels here.... after I ended up owning the car so I still plan on putting them back on the car.
So... I guess... playing this old school you could possibly clean the rim, get some good epoxy paint and spray the heck out of it... For me I'd just replace the rim if it's a steel wheel. (unless you are trying to preserve the original wheels).
IMHO,
Willcox
My own low mileage 78 also was a victim of this... The only issue is that the wheels were replaced before I owned the car but they were replaced by us and we still had the original leaking wheels here.... after I ended up owning the car so I still plan on putting them back on the car.
So... I guess... playing this old school you could possibly clean the rim, get some good epoxy paint and spray the heck out of it... For me I'd just replace the rim if it's a steel wheel. (unless you are trying to preserve the original wheels).
IMHO,
Willcox
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Steel rallye wheels are pretty cheap, if you don't care about date codes. For Sale on this site all the time.
Of course if he had provided a picture we would have known for sure.
Last edited by KenSny; Feb 21, 2020 at 04:37 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Just fine the leak starting point on the inside of the wheel and weld of Heli-arc the darn thing. That will give you a NON-leaking original wheel. Any minor difference in added weight will be negated when it is balanced. Why spend a C-note for a replacement wheel when less than $50 will fix the original???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay