Leaking aluminum wheel

[L_Rutigliano]

Want to share my dealer experience with you.



My right front tire has leaked approx 30 psi/month since new. I called the Dodge dealer and they told me I have to go to an authorized BF Goodrich dealer. So I did this, they said the valve stem leaked, and replaced. Another month go's by, still leaking. Took it back to the tire guys, they had someone with experience look at it. Found the aluminum casting was porous in one spot after dunking rim/tire in water tank.



Called dealer, asked them to order me wheel. They said no way until I bring them the truck. FAT CHANCE!



I took the tire/wheel off and took it to the dealer. Left it with them and they diagnosed sure enough the wheel is cracked.



Took one day to get new wheel. Go to the dealer to pick up. They have a 1 pound lead weight on the outside of the rim. OK, it was only 4 oz, but it was huge!



I'm thinking there is no way this thing is balanced. So I say thank you very much and take the wheel/tire to the tire dealer and ask them to check it. Sure enough, its not balanced.



They rebalance with a 0. 5 oz weight on the outside, but now my new rim has a divit in it where they removed the fishing weight.



Oh well, at least I didn't leave my truck at the dealer!



If you notice leaking air, this is something to consider.

 

[Steve M]

There's a TSB on this problem that I believe turned into a recall for certain serial number wheels.

I had a drive shaft out of round on my truck and when I described the vibration to the service writer he said they'd had some tire balance problems. They use a new tire balance machine that's supposed to work better by simulating a load on the tire. It doesn't work too well apperently. They rebalanced the tires three times and every time the weights were in different spots and different weights. And the drive shaft was still out of balance.

The tires aren't perfectly balanced but I can live with it until I get around to a rotate and rebalance at the local tire shop.

 

[KCJackson]

This is exactly why I prefer forged aluminum wheels over cast. Bubbles, soft spots, leaks... almost never happen with forged.

 

[TBrennan]

I had a tire vibration with my '96 and some 285/75 mud tires. I went out of my way to find a station with that new Hunter load system and after getting my tires balanced there, the truck drove great! I highly recommned it, but they are new and more complicated so if the operator doesn't know how to operate it properly it could cause problems.

 

[Shooter]

All our Discount tire shops here have at least one of the new machines