Wheel leak fix question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 42
From: Blairstown New Jersey
Wheel leak fix question
One of my three-piece wheels is leaking around the bolts, so I assume the seal between the halves is leaking. Losing about one psi every two hours. Is re-sealing a job for a wheel repair shop, or is it simple? Any chance fix-a-flat will seal it up permanently- there should be almost no stress on this area, no? THANKS, Charlie
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Alloy rims and fix-a-flat..............
Read your fix-a-flat label .It will most likely say for temporary repair. I've had a bad experience leaving that crap in and it reacted to the alloy by eating into the rim and dissolving the alloy. Ruined the rim. So read the label.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 2
From: Houston TEXAS
Fix a flat will attack the finish of the wheel, ruining it over time. Which is why we have to wash it off the wheel and tire whenever a vehicle comes in that has used it. There is a sealant we use specifically for this purpose. Any Discount Tire should have it. And the sealing job isn't that hard to do. The shop should be able to do it for you with relative ease. Best of luck. 
97C5
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
try silicone sealer, take the tire off clean the wheel up good, wipe the area to be sealed down with alcohol or enamel reducer, seal it and let it sit untill it cures and put it back together.
You can buy small tubes at any home store, or buy a large tube it comes in colors or clear.
You can buy small tubes at any home store, or buy a large tube it comes in colors or clear.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '08
I've been there guys. There really is only one way to deal with this and it is to get it fixed correctly with a new seal. I delayed the inevitable for a few months with silicon, but eventually it let loose and deflated while at a show. Any 3 piece wheel is expensive and if it goes while your driving, its not going to be safe and your likely going to ruin the wheel. Changing the seal actually didn't fix mime. It turned out to be a small imperfection in the wheel where the seal touched. The piece was replaced by the manufacturer and its been good ever since. The manufacturer should stand behind their product. I didn't pay anything but to ship it back. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
I've been there guys. There really is only one way to deal with this and it is to get it fixed correctly with a new seal. I delayed the inevitable for a few months with silicon, but eventually it let loose and deflated while at a show. Any 3 piece wheel is expensive and if it goes while your driving, its not going to be safe and your likely going to ruin the wheel. Changing the seal actually didn't fix mime. It turned out to be a small imperfection in the wheel where the seal touched. The piece was replaced by the manufacturer and its been good ever since. The manufacturer should stand behind their product. I didn't pay anything but to ship it back. Good luck.
It depends on the rim....Some don't have a "seal" or "gasket" between the halves, the only thing creating the seal is the silicone itself.
I've dealt with this problem in the past, and didn't feel comfortable disassembling the wheel at home, without the proper tools to re-torque the wheel fasteners. I simply removed the tire, and using a sharp utility knife, cut the silicone out of the "v" created by the rim halves. Then clean with acetone or enamel reducer, then apply a fresh bead of GE silicone and let dry.
This assumes we're discussing a CCW wheel, which is "silicone sealed" from the outset.
