03 Bonneville Wheels Leak

[chisox.fan]

I've been struggling with this for the past couple years. The wheels on my car leak around the bead. So bad in fact, that I have to fill the front ones up every morning before work (I assume the weight in the front causes these to deflate quicker). However, I brought them into a Tire Shop and they said that the chrome has flaked so bad. They did a grind and sealant on all wheels. This definitely "helps".....for awhile but isn't the solution as they eventually leak again.

Anyone else have this issue? Is there something else I can do to prevent this from happening?

I have Goodyear Eagle GT tires on the car...not sure if there are better tires or if certain tires are known not to seal very well.

[Jrs3800]

If the chrome is peeling that bad on the inside of the lip they won't seal well... Not sure what to tell you to do..

[chisox.fan]

That's what I was afraid of. Some people told me to put some "fix-a-flat" inside the tire and that would help a bit. I don't know.

Ultimately, I figure I'm going to need new wheels and I hesitate to get chrome wheels again. Is there anything certain I need to look for in wheels or any recommendations? I'm also not sure how switching wheels would work with the TPS. I haven't seen the TPS on my car but I assume it is attached the wheel somewhere.

[2003 SSEi]

ther is no TPMS attached to the wheel. The Car uses the Wheel speed sensors to determine the tire pressure. If one wheel is rotating at a different speed than the others it will give the low tire pressure warning

[chisox.fan]

Good to know! Thanks!

[mrwildroot]

That's what I was afraid of. Some people told me to put some "fix-a-flat" inside the tire and that would help a bit. I don't know.

I would NOT RECOMMEND using that 'fix a flat' goop....it threw my tire out of balance, further destroying it...total mess inside after...

Ultimately, I figure I'm going to need new wheels and I hesitate to get chrome wheels again. Is there anything certain I need to look for in wheels or any recommendations? I'm also not sure how switching wheels would work with the TPS. I haven't seen the TPS on my car but I assume it is attached the wheel somewhere.

I had a rental that threw codes about tire pressure...The sensor on that car was part of the inflation valve assy. Not sure on my Bonne....

MW

[J Wikoff]

I've had the same wheels for a decade or so. I've had two ground to fix a leak around the bead. I couldn't tell you if they were both the same wheel or not. There was several years between the two. A $15 fix twice in 10 years isn't too bad. Actually, one was free, since they were putting on new tires at the time.

[chisox.fan]

Yeah, I've never been a fan of the fix-a-flat or slime. I used to change tires back in high school and it wasn't fun to take a tire off that was full of that!

I think I'll just make sure the next time I get new tires that the person changing them will do what they can to the wheel to help

Thanks all!

[bobgto65]

I have the same wheels and had the same problem last year. Finally, I took the tires off the wheels, used an orbital sander around the inside of the bead, primed it, put a black finish coat on it and let it dry for a couple days. After that I have not had a problem in a year.

[chisox.fan]

Do you have any specifics on what type of primer and finish coat you used? I'm very interested in doing this

[toomch]

Ok, this may be dumb but can a regular person take the tires off the wheels? Don't you need a machine? I've never tried it before.

[2003 SSEi]

Ok, this may be dumb but can a regular person take the tires off the wheels? Don't you need a machine? I've never tried it before.

you need a tire machine to remove the tire from the wheel.....safely

[CMNTMXR57]

1) GM has had issue with the chrome plating (if you want to een call it that), on wheels where it will peel and/or corrode around the bead. The subsequent issue is that the tire loses air at that point where it has peeled/corroded. It isn't just a Bonneville thing and it's not anything new. It's any GM vehicle you see with the "high polish" (I.E. Chrome looking), wheels that GM used on all vehicles. Chrysler also has issues similar.

2) Never use fix-a-flat.

3) to properly fix, the tire needs to be removed, the bead cleaned and wire wheeled down and then the tire resealed and re-beaded onto the rim. The other option... new wheel.

[toomch]

Good response. Makes me never want to get chrome wheels again.