Heard a new one today

[gtnsmlr]

Had a new set of tires put on the truck Monday. Checked the pressure today and one tire was down to 20psi from 65. Took it back to the dealer he said that the leak was due to the alloy wheel corroding at the bead, huh...factory wheels with only 100k on them, has anyone else heard this before? Me thinks they scored the wheel with the machine and don't want to fess up.

[drsteve]

Alloy wheels tend to do that. Cleaning the beads takes care of it.

[GordonThree]

X2 happens frequently on my Subaru with alloy wheels, anytime there's a drastic temperature change

[midnightsadie]

yep heard this before with a lot less miles. sometimes cleaning the bead will seal it, sounds like your tire guy did not clean the beads.

[Lwiddis]

"the leak was due to the alloy wheel corroding at the bead"

And the tire shop didn't notice any corrosion when installing the tires? Or do anything? Or tell you?

[fj12ryder]

I've had a couple of cars with about 100,000 miles on them that have had issues with the bead not sealing due to the wheel corrosion. A lot depends on what the tire mounters use for lube, and how the wheels are treated and/or cleaned. You shouldn't have much trouble with salt corrosion though where you are.

[Hondavalk]

Very common with alloy wheels.

[Krusty]

Pretty common. They should've cleaned up the beads before installing new tires.

[Sam_Spade]

SO......if they already knew that from when they installed the tires......WHY THE HELL DID THEY NOT TELL YOU THAT BEFORE ????

Anyway, they should be able to show you two things:
First the bubbles from where the leak IS.
And then the bead of the rim with the tire off so you can see the supposed "corrosion".

While their story is possible, it usually only happens in areas where they put salt or other chemicals on the roads in the winter.....or if you drive in the ocean on a regular basis.

[Grit_dog]

Yes, it's possible. Does it appear that your vehicle may have enough corrosion for this to occur?

[moresmoke]

Quite possible. The 100k is irrelevant. Only depends on the condition of the wheel. Bead sealer should take care of it.

[donn0128]

Have them apply a dab of bearing grease all around the bead. Drive them and see what happens.