[AT] Sealing a tire to a rim

[charlie hill]

Larry apparently you haven't read the entire thread.  Yes I know precisely
where it is leaking and at what rate for that matter.  The tires are nearly
new.  I certainly don't intend to replace this one with a tire from the
salvage yard.  If I intended to pull the tire off the rim for any reason I'd
put it on a different rim.  This tire leaked at the bead when it was
orriginally mounted.  The guy that mounted it is a friend of mine and I
helped him mount them. We mounted and remounted the tire 2 or 3 times and in
the process filed on the bead of the rim but for some reason it would not
seat.   The rim looked fine with only minor pitting which we filled smooth.
The problem is that these tires have very stiff ( not hard or brittle)
sidewalls.   When the tire was first mounted it only leaked a few pounds
over a period of a week or so.   We figured after the tire ran a few miles
that it would seat but it didn't. (that was not a problem because I check
the air in the tires every time I put a load on the trailer) This winter the
trailer went unused for several months and the tire leaked completely down.
When I re-inflated it it had developed a 24 hour leak down.

Since then and with the help of some soapy water, 50psi presure and a 2
pound hammer I have it back down to a very minor leak.
By the way, the tire that was on the rim previously did not leak.  If I
really wanted to get scientific about it I would mark the rim, pull the tire
off, remount it and see if the leak was at the same place on the tire or at
the same place on the rim but I'm just not inclined to do that.  I'm kind of
like Cecil and Farmer.  I have about 40 tires and wheels to keep up with and
playing with tires and wheels is not my priority in life.

There are two small places where it leaks.  It is a very slow leak and is
not a problem to keep it inflated.  If I need to remove the tire for any
reason I will replace the rim at that time.  Right now I am only looking for
a way to seal THIS tire to THIS rim.

Guys I appreciate all the helpful offers but I grew up in a service station
and on a farm and spent my early adulthood driving a tractor trailer.  I've
seen lots of tire problems and know how to handle most of them.  In this
case I was looking for information on sealants that are available now that I
don't have any knowledge of.   Some folks have answered my question
precisely and with some good information.  It is not a matter of time.  It's
not a matter of doing it right or wrong.  I just wanted some information
about bead sealants and fix-a-flat type products.

Thanks again for your help.

Charlie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry D. Goss" <rlgoss at evansville.net>
To: "'Antique tractor email discussion group'"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 6:23 PM
Subject: RE: [AT] Sealing a tire to a rim


> Charlie, have you coated the sidewall and bead with soap solution to
> check for where the air is really leaking?  If the tire is as stiff as
> you say it is, I'd suspect that you're loosing air right through the
> sidewalls.  If that's the case, go down to your local salvage yard and
> get a different tire.  If the leak really is at the bead, then get a can
> of bead sealer at Rural King or TSC.  George said it right -- if you
> don't have the time to fix it right the first time, when are you going
> to find the time to redo it?
>
> Larry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of charlie hill
> Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 7:57 PM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] Sealing a tire to a rim
>
> Hey Len,  I qualify for redneck solutions.  I might just try some
> silicone
> gasket sealer.  The problem is that the rim is pitted or slightly
> deformed
> and the tire is so stiff it is not conforming to the rim.  Anything that
> will smooth the rim surface will work as long as it is tenacious enough
> to
> stay put.  I know it is not the correct way to fix the problem but
> sometimes
> the bailing wire and duct tape solutions work just fine.
>
> Charlie
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Len Rugen" <lrugen at c-magic.com>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
> <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 3:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [AT] Sealing a tire to a rim
>
>
> > OK - this is the "redneck" answer, so don't shoot me.  I'm trying to
> get
> > over my past...
> >
> > Most of the "flat stop" products won't fix a bead leak, they never get
> > there.  They are OK for thorns.
> >
> > You are going to have to break the bead one more time, but don't take
> the
> > tire off.  Get a tube of
> > silicone and "glue" the bead on the rim.
> >
> > I've seen it done, but don't know how long it lasted.  I wouldn't
> trust
> > anyones life on such a repair, etc...
> >
> > Len Rugen
> >
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> >
>
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