Leaky wheels..... (seriously)

[BawBagg]

I've forgotten to list this particular problem in any of my other posts....

Yet another quality issue with a "quality" car.

One of my tyres leaks air at the rim, and needs to be inflated every couple of days. I need to carry a 12V compressor as I fly a lot - if I leave the car at the airport for a few days, the tyre will be down to 15 psi.

I remember the first time I had the tyre changed (car was 2 years old I think), the guy did comment that the wheel was badly corroded on the inside.

So... anyone have similar problems and can recommend a solution??

What about getting a new set of wheels - how much would I be looking at, and where's best to purchase??

It's a W210 Elegance.

Thanks for any comments.

R

 

[landover]

I recon you will be able to buy a set of new alloys for about £400.I got a set for mine at Motorsport Wheels.

 

[jberks]

I had a similar issue on my Jeep. (the Merc is fine). Kwikifit removed the tyre, resealed it and it's been fine since - it does drop but very very slowly over several months. I believe its a common problem with all alloys. I would just have it resealed by a decent fitter or just have that one fitted with an inner tube. Failing that, you can get an alloy recon'd for around £20ish ea so I wouldn't waste the money on new ones. It only takes a careless fitter to scratch the laquer and you are going to get corrosion around where the tyre seats, so I wouldn't blame Merc quality for this one.

 

[BawBagg]

Ta muchly.

I'm taking the missus A Class to Kwik Fit tomorrow for its first MOT - I'll ask again about a tube. It seems to be the smartest solution - if available. (I think I asked about a tube a while back, and was told "not possible").

R

 

[landover]

mmmmmmhhhhh

 

[190]

If you want a tube fitted you are better taking it to a small tyre repair centre as kwik fit would rather sell you a tyre. The other option that you have is to get the tyre removed and give the wheel rim a really good clean where the tyre seals. Give it a good wire brush then a rub with steel wool

 

[dishmop]

There are lots of rules and rg#egs about fitting tubes to tubeless rims. Find a small independant dealer somewhere.

Dont bother to go to your local Mercedes main dealer. They will only send it across the road to ATS or similar.

 

[mlc]

Alloy wheels corrode on the bead line - where rubber meets metal. Any good tyre fitter can clean them up - and should automatically do that when fitting a new tyre. I would always recommend a trustworthy independant over a national name - if you dont already have one ask friends / relatives for a recommendation.

Whilst it is legal (in most cases) to use an inner tube this really is not a solution if for no other reason then for safety reasons. Tubeless tyres normally go down slowly - blow outs are quite rare. It is far more common to have a slow puncture with leakage round say a nail in the tread, you come out in the morning and call the AA. A tube is nothing other than a ballon trapped inside the tyre, as soon as the same nail goes through the tyre it bursts the tube and you have a blow out. If you are lucky you sit at the roadside waiting for the AA, if youre not lucky we all see the pictures of the closed motorway on news at ten. It may sound dramatic but its why tubeless tyres were invented in the first place.

Mark

 

[BawBagg]

I asked Kwik F*t about a tube today - no chance.

I've had this problem for over 2 years now - it was an independant who pointed out the corrosion to me in the first place ("I wouldn't expect to see that much corrosion on a 2 1/2 year old E Class mate").

The tyre was on and off so many times to try to seal it, I expected him to explain the tyre was now knackered, and I'd need another one.

Kwik F*t suggested I get the wheel sandblasted, but couldn't recommend anyone. I reckon the wire brush and steel wool approach would be smartest way forward. I may stick the spare on for a bit, and bung my local tyre fitter a couple of quid to take the tyre off the wheel for me.

 

[BawBagg]

tut tut, replying to my own posts... but one bit of good news - the missus' A Class sailed through it's first MOT.

 

[jberks]

I've heard mixed stories about inner tubes in tubeless tyres and alloy wheels. I can't see why one would cause a blow out as the tyre should still be sealed against the rim, with or without the tube, so if the tube fails (and decent tubes don't explode when punctured - they are not over stretched like baloons and made from far thicker material), you are simply back to the original state of the tyre. However I guess if a bubble developed between the tube and the tyrewall, the effect may be more of a problem. Anyone know what the technical story is? :?
In any case, alloy recon people advertise in the back of the autotrader, so if the wire wool doesn't work, I'd hand the wheel to one of them. Give it to them with the tyre on, then they can reseal it and test their work.