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My C7A8 base stingray has the z51 wheel package and for over 1 yr all 4 tires would slowly lose air. I had Michelins all around the fronts made in 2019 and the back 2020 all run flats. I was told that the chrome wheels had a reputation for leaking as they age. Car is 2016. So Discount Tire at no charge remounted the tires several times and put sealer on the beads after the third service. Still slow leaks. Finally I replaced the back Michelins with new run flats and no more leaks but the Michelins cost around $700 out the door. The fronts continued to leak and even with 7/32 tread I replaced them and again no more leaks. This time I went with non run flats which vastly improved the ride. I think the Michelin run flats harden with age so severely that they lose seal with the chrome rims. I'm posting in case you're having similar issues. Current mileage is 51 K and this set of tires had at most 17k miles. I am second owner.
Second owner. Changed tires this year on the 2016. Never had slow leaks or any leaks. Just didn't want to keep balding tires another season. Still no leaks and all Run Flats. Sure, the ride seemed a little better with newer rubber but what doesn't?
No. At least, none that I noticed. They mounted 4 of them. Spritzed them and found that one was a little leaky. Dismounted it, rubbed that mounting compound, remounted and it sealed. Still has so far. Even the old wheel that was out of round didn't have a leak.
No. At least, none that I noticed. They mounted 4 of them. Spritzed them and found that one was a little leaky. Dismounted it, rubbed that mounting compound, remounted and it sealed. Still has so far. Even the old wheel that was out of round didn't have a leak.
I retired 12 yrs ago from being a Lexus dealer tech. One of our worst jobs was leaking chrome wheels.. We used a wire brush to remove the loose chrome flakes on the inside of the bead. I actually bought a 4" round wire brush for my hand drill. It was never fun to get them to seal w/ the black goo after doing the best we could to the wheel. I always told the service advisor there was NO guarantee and also typed that into my comments when I closed out my part of the RO. I know it got touchy for the SA when the car had been bought from our dealer w/ the chrome wheels. There were some deals cut between the service and sales departments but I never heard any details.
The chrome starts flaking off under the tire bead. Not sure the chemistry but it is similar to rust between two steel pieces. It pushes the pieces apart. When we had leaks we did as I said above. We couldn't make it a perfectly flat surface any more since chrome would be missing here and there. Getting the loose bits gone and using the black sealer was usually good for a year or so but then the chrome would start coming loose at other spots.
Slow leaks finally fixed
all 4 have 2021 date!!
They dropped em. Tells ya something right there....😁