Rimquestion
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 402
Likes: 112
From: Matthews NC
Rimquestion
So I have a 2019 GS. For the last several months I have noticed loss of air in my 2 rear tires. This week they were down 10psi. I took both rims off and soaped them both up and found no leaks. I checked for cracks with a magnifying glass and found none. I checked the valve stems as well no leaks. It’s been cold here in NC but 10psi????
Any ideas??
Any ideas??
Last edited by BRomanelli; Feb 22, 2021 at 06:55 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 288
From: San Bruno CA
For that much of a drop in pressure, I'd say you definitely have cracked wheels. They usually start off small then develop into larger cracks. Best way to check is to dunk them into a tub of water, if you can find a large enough tub, and look for the tell tale signs of bubbles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,811
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From: Wauconda Il
So I have a 2029 GS. For the last several months I have noticed loss of air in my 2 rear tires. This week they were down 10psi. I took both rims off and soaped them both up and found no leaks. I checked for cracks with a magnifying glass and found none. I checked the valve stems as well no leaks. It’s been cold here in NC but 10psi????
Any ideas??
Any ideas??
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 272
Likes: 64
From: Detroit Suburb
I had several cracked oem wheels on my 17 GS and found that for some cracks the amount of air that I would lose depended on what part of the wheel/crack that was parked on.
In other words, I had one crack that if I parked with the crack positioned at the bottom, I would lose very little PSI over night but if I parked with the crack anywhere else, I lost like 4-10 PSI overnight.
In other words, I had one crack that if I parked with the crack positioned at the bottom, I would lose very little PSI over night but if I parked with the crack anywhere else, I lost like 4-10 PSI overnight.
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So I have a 2029 GS. For the last several months I have noticed loss of air in my 2 rear tires. This week they were down 10psi. I took both rims off and soaped them both up and found no leaks. I checked for cracks with a magnifying glass and found none. I checked the valve stems as well no leaks. It’s been cold here in NC but 10psi????
Any ideas??
Any ideas??
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Good idea to just take it to a trusted tire shop and let them check of any cracks or leaks in the tires. The tires should not be losing that much air.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 288
From: San Bruno CA
You can also try taking off the wheel, fill the air pressure to 30-35lbs then spray a soapy water solution all around the wheel on the lip (That's where the cracks usually start) and watch for bubbles.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Surely someone above has already told you that "eying" wheels isn't how to find cracks and other flaws. You need to pressure check with liquid such as soapy water. Sorry, but it sounds like the s**t OEM issue has bit you, too. No one with such wheels is immune. 
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St. Jude Donor '13
^^^
I know one Tech who found 2 cracked rear wheels just by eyeballing.
Two others had leaks and just did a visual inspection of the wheels up on a lift, found the cracks.
If you just look at the wheels and see cracks, then you know. If you don't find anything with just looking, and have a slow leak(s), then it's time for further inspection and the soapy water is a good next step.
I know one Tech who found 2 cracked rear wheels just by eyeballing.
Two others had leaks and just did a visual inspection of the wheels up on a lift, found the cracks.
If you just look at the wheels and see cracks, then you know. If you don't find anything with just looking, and have a slow leak(s), then it's time for further inspection and the soapy water is a good next step.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Feb 24, 2021 at 02:53 PM.