The Automotive Thread

[knight1fox3]

Had the same thing happen on my aluminum rims for the car. Turns out that you are supposed to use a bead locker compound (more or less rubber cement) on aluminum rims but there are alot of tire shops that do not use it because it can be messy and difficult to remove the tire in the future. I thought this was bull at first but it has solved the problem...

my two cents but I would try this before buying a new rim...

So you had to take your car back to whatever service shop and ask them to apply this compound or you did it yourself?

Be careful with straightening Aluminum rims. Once bent they will forever be "soft", and you might not be able to fix them at all. I had that same issue several years ago with the rims on my '98 Eclipse.

Great tip, thanks Dex.

 

[Lumber Jim]

Had the same thing happen on my aluminum rims for the car. Turns out that you are supposed to use a bead locker compound (more or less rubber cement) on aluminum rims but there are alot of tire shops that do not use it because it can be messy and difficult to remove the tire in the future. I thought this was bull at first but it has solved the problem...

my two cents but I would try this before buying a new rim...

So you had to take your car back to whatever service shop and ask them to apply this compound or you did it yourself?

Be careful with straightening Aluminum rims. Once bent they will forever be "soft", and you might not be able to fix them at all. I had that same issue several years ago with the rims on my '98 Eclipse.

Great tip, thanks Dex.

Took it to a different car shop that actually knew what they were doing... when I asked about it (because when I first heard of it i thought it was hocus pocus) they knew what I was talking about and acknowledged that they typically only apply it on low profile aluminum rims but since I asked for it, they would do it.

 

[Lumber Jim]

I think the reasoning for low profile aluminum only is that aluminum components have to be thicker than their steel alternative which adds stiffness to the aluminum structure and therefore any inconsistency in the mating parts is more evident due to the lack of "flex". The low profile argument is due to a shallower bead seat on the rim and the angles required for the low profile tire bead to approach the seat.

at least this is how I have justified it in my head...

 

[knight1fox3]

I wonder if insurance covers this sort of thing with having comprehensive coverage....

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

^^^ Only if the repairs cost more than the deductible. Even then, it's usually better to handle it out of pocket.

 

[Supe]

Be careful with straightening Aluminum rims. Once bent they will forever be "soft", and you might not be able to fix them at all. I had that same issue several years ago with the rims on my '98 Eclipse.

Whats the principal behind that? Aluminum work hardens, and the temper conditions are from heat treatment. I wouldn't expect a repaired aluminum rim to be softer unless it's been heated to bring it back to round, in which case, you've ruined the wheel anyways. That said, if its something more than a minor bump from a pothole, you need to take into account certain other considerations. Forged, vacuum cast, gravity cast, etc., all play into it.

As for applying sealant, we do it in drag racing too, albeit to keep the tire from spinning on the rims. When shops do it, it's primarily because low profile tires on aluminum wheels are often stretched, making it harder to seat and seat consistently. You just don't see many low profile tires mounted on steel wheels these days.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

It depends on the magnitude of the bend. If it's minor, I agree that it should be ok to repair without any further issue. However, the rims I had issues with bent so much they had stress fractures. Once the material is "torn" you cant repair it by simply bending it back.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

I had that same issue several years ago with the rims on my '98 Eclipse.

Among others...

 

[Rockettt]

throw some rubber tire sealer on it and be done! i use it on all my stuff. plus helps keep the aluminum from corroding. have done it on my truck since new. other than messy it just ensures not having to pull the truck back in , take the rim back off....break the tire down..... etc etc. just had to do my sled trailer tire last night. nothing in NY ever seems to last long with salt. those were steelie wheels though.

actually now that i think about it, that black "good" rubber sealer they are doing away with and now using this more "eco-friendly" clear crap. it didnt seems to work as well and seemed thinner when I used it at the shop. or maybe that was all that was available. that black stuff is good! sticky sticky for them high HP cars at the strip.

 

[knight1fox3]

I ended up just getting a new rim from a parts outlet store for under $190. The tech I spoke to said the sealer would work for awhile but with the upcoming winter, he said there was no guarantee it would hold up and the problem would just show itself again. Which I tended to agree with since I wasn't even buying the rim from him. The rim was actually almost the same price as the tire ironically. They switched the tire over to the new rim free of charge too. Great service. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[MA_PE]

anyone have any opinions/knowledge on the Pontiac G6? I thinking of buying an '07 with ~27k miles on it.

 

[Flyer_PE]

^I had one as a rental for a couple of days a few years ago. I think it was an '06 model. All I remember was that I hated the seats.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

Not on the G6. If Pontiac lasted 1 more model year I'd be driving a G8 instead of the Camaro.

 

[Master slacker]

The G8 probably weighs less... oking:

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

Nope. G8 = 3950lbs, Camaro 3800. And they both rocked the Chevy LS3 V8, except the G8 didn't have the manual transmission option unless you went with the GXP.

 

[Master slacker]

I was pickin'. If only it could get down to Mustang weight. Too bad these cars are just becoming pigs with all the features and safety components.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

Yep. Just read the article in Road & Track from last month's issue comparing the new ZL1 to the GT500. The Mustang absolutely smokes the Camaro in the 1/4 mile due to the higher HP and lower weight, but the Camaro wins on the road track due to the wider rear tires, better weight distribution and better suspension (all adding to the higher weight).

In the end, both are so close it just comes down to preference.

Edit: Link http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/comparison/2013-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500-vs.-2012-chevrolet-camaro-zl1

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

I have been considering trading in the Camaro lately. I'm considering trading it in on a newer version of what I have, except it would have the 1LE package. The 1LE package is the transmission & suspension from the ZL1.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-chevrolet-camaro-ss-1le-first-drive-review

 

[Supe]

Skip the Camaro at that price point and get a Boss 302.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

anyone have any opinions/knowledge on the Pontiac G6? I thinking of buying an '07 with ~27k miles on it.

They're not bad. Same chassis as my 07 Maxx, including the long wheel base, so the back seat is generous in the legroom category. Decent acceleration and mileage.

27K miles is low....is there story there?