Wheel Porosity
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Wheel Porosity
This is an odd problem that just cropped up...
The right rear wheel on my 84 has developed a leak. Not the tire, the wheel. If I submerge the wheel, tiny bubbles (sounds like a song) begin to emerge through the inner portion of the inside of the rim.
Sounds like a great opportunity to upgrade to 17" wheels, doesn't it?
It would be. The only problem is I just popped for a new set of 16" Kumhos that I happen to really like, which also have less than 1000 miles on them.
I know I can buy a used wheel on eBay for around $60 shipped, but is there any way to weld, solder, or otherwise repair my wheel? I would rather repair mine than buy another used one that I have to strip the clearcoat from and polish (mine are very shiny). If it is repairable, how much trouble am I going to have balancing this wheel afterward?
Any suggestions? Anyone with any experience in this area, please chime in. TIA
The right rear wheel on my 84 has developed a leak. Not the tire, the wheel. If I submerge the wheel, tiny bubbles (sounds like a song) begin to emerge through the inner portion of the inside of the rim.
Sounds like a great opportunity to upgrade to 17" wheels, doesn't it?
It would be. The only problem is I just popped for a new set of 16" Kumhos that I happen to really like, which also have less than 1000 miles on them.
I know I can buy a used wheel on eBay for around $60 shipped, but is there any way to weld, solder, or otherwise repair my wheel? I would rather repair mine than buy another used one that I have to strip the clearcoat from and polish (mine are very shiny). If it is repairable, how much trouble am I going to have balancing this wheel afterward?
Any suggestions? Anyone with any experience in this area, please chime in. TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Is it a pinhole or is it a crack? If the wheel is cracked it's probably better to change it. If it's a pinhole then you could either have it TIG welded and ground back off which would alter the balance very little or you could try to grind a bit around the hole and put some J-B Weld on it. The J-B would have to sit for 24 hours though with no pressure on it.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Originally Posted by Midnight 85
Is it a pinhole or is it a crack? .
Would JB weld actually hold? I would clean the inner surface with a dremel and wire wheel, and apply a thin coating, but will it hold up to the centrifugal force of a wheel spinning at high speed?
I'm a little ill informed about what welding....what does TIG welding involve, and can most welding shops do the work?
Thanks for the input.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 541
Likes: 2
From: Kalama WA
This was a common problem on early factory wheels. They were cast, then machined. Some of the castings were not to great (enkei). I have two sets of 86 wheels and noticed gray epoxy paint in some locations on the inner portion of the rims. From factory they fixed minor pinholes by using epoxy paint and sealed them. If it is just a pinhole- easy to fix.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Originally Posted by kize
This was a common problem on early factory wheels. They were cast, then machined. Some of the castings were not to great (enkei). I have two sets of 86 wheels and noticed gray epoxy paint in some locations on the inner portion of the rims. From factory they fixed minor pinholes by using epoxy paint and sealed them. If it is just a pinhole- easy to fix.
Wow....I never knew that. I'm thinking I can just dismount the tire and do the same. Thanks for the tip.
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