Aluminum wheels - slow air leaks

[Ben Swann]

<< keyword: aluminum, wheels, air leak, sealing, corrosion

 My wheels are getting long in the tooth(88 5kq) and I've got a slow leak
in
 one wheel.
 The tire is ok. I suspect aluminum corrosion on the inside of the wheel at
 the bead area.

 Anybody got some fixes for this?>>

Over time and repetative mountings, the wheels will develop irregularities.
 A lot of this is old glue or oxidation/pitting.  Most shops don't clean
everytime they mount wheels.  About a year ago, our '85 4kq was leaking in
all wheels in various degrees.  I finally got tired of having to put air in
every few days.

I took it to SAMs club where I had the Pirelli's put on.  The tire guy (no
monkey lad criticism here) took the time to leak test all wheels.  Then he
demounted all cleaned up the bead area with fine wire brush on air tool and
remounted.

No charge, and no further questions asked.  Since then, no Leaks!

Ben