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How to repair a tubeless wire wheel leaker ?
- Thread starter Jeffsbj8
- Start date
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Keoke
Great Pumpkin
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Jeff I would think that inflating the tire then applying soapy water around each spoke until bubbles appear around the spoke would locate the leakers. Then you could reapply RTV inside the wheel at those spoke locations and retest.
Additionally adding a tube solves the problem.--Keoke--:wink-new:
Bob_Spidell
Yoda
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I've never bought sealed wheels, but have had my wires sealed several times. The last time I had tires mounted a small piece of the sealant flaked off, and that wheel had to be re-sealed. Unfortunately, I think you're SOL and will probably have to send the wheel back to the manufacturer, or find someone local to you who can strip and reseal the wheel. I don't think any RTV or other sealer will hold pressure.
bob hughes
Luke Skywalker
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I am old fashioned, for me, I would only use inner tubes.
Bob
Bob
RAC68
Darth Vader
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Jeff,
Have you asked the wheel manufacturer for advice on this mater?
If this were my problem, after I have found the location of the air leak as Keoke has suggested, I would examine the wheel to determine the cause (failure of the sealant, loose/broken spoke, bead seal, etc.) and address a resolution to that problem first. I then would evaluate the extent of the sealant repair needed and if small, clean the area and try an RTV fill. Once the RTV cures, I would provide additional support to the RTV fill by applying a tire patch over the area making sure that the patch reaches well past the RTV and secures to the original sealant area. After remounting the tire, I would inflate with much more then the standard driving air pressure and test for leaks again. After installing it on my Healey, I would go for a little test drive.
However, if I were not confident in my repair experiment or my ability to affect a secure repair, I would call the manufacturer and follow their suggestion. Since this can not be a condition that is unique, I would expect them to have a standard repair procedure that would probably involve sending back the wheel to them or their local agent for a certified repair.
Hypothetically, this is what I would do if I were faced with a similar problem. However, this is also the type of problem that has kept me using tubes.
Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
Have you asked the wheel manufacturer for advice on this mater?
If this were my problem, after I have found the location of the air leak as Keoke has suggested, I would examine the wheel to determine the cause (failure of the sealant, loose/broken spoke, bead seal, etc.) and address a resolution to that problem first. I then would evaluate the extent of the sealant repair needed and if small, clean the area and try an RTV fill. Once the RTV cures, I would provide additional support to the RTV fill by applying a tire patch over the area making sure that the patch reaches well past the RTV and secures to the original sealant area. After remounting the tire, I would inflate with much more then the standard driving air pressure and test for leaks again. After installing it on my Healey, I would go for a little test drive.
However, if I were not confident in my repair experiment or my ability to affect a secure repair, I would call the manufacturer and follow their suggestion. Since this can not be a condition that is unique, I would expect them to have a standard repair procedure that would probably involve sending back the wheel to them or their local agent for a certified repair.
Hypothetically, this is what I would do if I were faced with a similar problem. However, this is also the type of problem that has kept me using tubes.
Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
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I sealed my 72 spoke Daytons myself. Where i ran into problems was when i bought new tires. When mounting/remounting the tires, you need to really use a lot of the soapy water they have to make sure the tire bead will slip over rim without pulling the sealer off. The way i found which spoke was leaking was to fill a large tub with water and put the tire in it and rotate until you see the bubbles.
It took several times to figure out the solution was to make the rim/tire bead as slick as possible.
It took several times to figure out the solution was to make the rim/tire bead as slick as possible.
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Not really. The reason I decided to go tubless was we were having flats to often back in the day when we were putting 4 to 6,000 miles a year on our 67 Bj8. Once I got the mounting 'magic' figured out we haven't had a flat on a trip. 
Went with the minilites clones on the 62 BT7 for to go tubeless, not mounting problems with them!
Went with the minilites clones on the 62 BT7 for to go tubeless, not mounting problems with them!
Thanks Guys if it is not a relatively easy fix I will send it back. The tough part is it is a rather slow leaker , I tried the soap trick and did not discover the leak maybe I will try the tub filled with water, my wife will love that thanks !! Is there a good sealer or procedure to repair leaky spoke? thanks again, Jeff
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I didn't use the indoors tub, not sure i could have gotten away with that! I used a galvanized one, like you use to ice the cold ones down for a backyard party :fat: