I have the stock 18" chrome wheels on my C2 Cab and my back tire is leaking air. At first it was only on the driver side, so I took it to a guy down the street and he said that because they are chrome rims the corrosion may be chipping the chrome inside. He took off the tire, polished the inside really nicely and silicone sealed it on install of the tire. He mentioned that every time you change a tire you must polish it or you will have this problem. Now I have the same problem on the other back tire, any comments?

Shouldn't the corrosion be covered under the corrosion warranty? Fat chance, hu!

I am going to change my tires all around but I don't think the regular tire shops actually do it.

 

I have seen chrome flake off before and yes it IS possible, but unless you looked at it, I would not trust it. That combined with the "glueing your tires on" would temp me to get a new tire shop. is there a p-car indy shop or dealer near you where you can have them looked at? AFTER they look at them, and YOU see INSIDE the wheel, then you can make a better call as to what is going on. IMHO

ALSO did they submerge the tire in water and SEE it leaking on the bead indicating that the bead was leaking? thus temping the removal of tire, followed by the "polishing" and then Glueing of the tire back on aproach?

You need to know how fast your leak is too... aka 3 pounds in a month? 10 pounds a day? if it leaks a lot and you suspect a bead leak, mix a mildly soapy water mix in a spray bottle and when the tire is fully inflated squirt the saopy mix around the bead, watch for tiny bubbles (or big ones in the case of a big leak)

Now when you go to a pro shop you have useful information and you can tell them how long it takes to leak how much, ask them to SHOW YOU what they find BEFORE fixing it and if you do see the beads leaking you are more apt to consider replacement / re-chroming options.

IMO I would never allow a tire to be siliconed onto the rim... any one else?


Ed

 

Chrome wheels will have this problem frequently from my experience, especially on cheaper chromed ones.

 

If this is a factory wheel I would be very surprised if it is actually chromed. Everything I have heard says that Porsche does not chrome wheels due to the effects of dissimilar metals on structural integrity.

I have the "high polished" wheels on my Millennium Edition. They look chromed but in fact they are not. It is a mylar finish over an epoxy resin and I have been told the finish can not be duplicated.

 

I think someone may have drilled a small hole in the wheel to let the water out.......

 

does that work? with or without the "flapper"

E

 

Flappers are an option (order # 38953 or alternatively can check the box for "swing era, big bands" on the Porsche order form.

 

I thought this was the can option?

 

This is a really sick crowd...

 

Having the same "bubbles around the bead "problem with my Lexus wheels !

 

when I was younger I used to mount a lot of tires and on old steel wheels that these rednecks brought out or the woods, this was a common problem. The solution is two part. The tires have to come off the wheel and the entire "bead" needs to be cleaned on the rims. It needs to be spotless (as BEST as you can) Second the tire must be looked at for ANY nicks or contamination to the bead area and also cleaned really well. (if damaged, torns or deteriorated, replaced) Then we used to use a product called RU-Glide.. (not sure it exsists anymore or if the spelling is right, really slippery stuff) and really "lube" up the bead for re-install. After that the rims ussually stopped....

HOWEVER
if, in the case here where people suspect the chrome is flaked and the air is escaping "under" the chrome... wheels are going to need re-chromed / replaced

GL,
Ed

 

I had some d90s that had been chromed by a supposedly reputable shop some years ago. I bought them after the fact and one at a time this same thing happened. After fixing 2 I quit, they are still around here someplace. I've never thrown them away

 

throw away? you could sell them to someone that would love to take on the challenge. Might even be surprised what someone is willing to give you for them?
E

 

shoot, I meant, I would take them from you and "fix" them
E

 

Chrome on a 911? <gasps>