Elbandito

I have a slow leak from one of my tires, usually 1-2PSI per week. I took it to a tire shop and they said I have a cracked rim. They recommended repairing it by them welding it. I wanted to hear some thoughts on that. The leak is super slow. Is it worth repairing, or replacing the rim, or to just leave it alone and put air in the tire every 2-3 weeks. Thoughts?

chrisdean

Cracks can get bigger so don't just ignore it.

JAMADOR

I'd get a 2nd and/or 3rd opinion before trying to have a wheel repaired. Be sure it's cracked.

k4vglitcher

I agree with chrisdean, the crack will only get bigger and become a bigger problem than it is now. I would take the rims to another location for a second inspection and complete any consistent recommendations from both locations.

White One

Lemmee get this right..You know you have a cracked rim and you are trying to determine whether or not to get it fixed?? And you need to go on a chat board to get that figured out..Leave the rim. Park the car. Buy a bicycle, or a bus pass..

fabbrisd1

Nowaday's it's quite "rare" and frankly unsafe to try to weld/repair a aluminum alloy rim - now that that wheel has been cracked - welded or not - it's a "weak" wheel.

When a wheel "cracks" it's due to impact/stress - and that wheel will never get better - and from a safety side it will fail on the next major impact and you don't want that.

The good news - eBay usually has replacement wheels cheap - you can spot the style you have by the picture - but you need to know the wheel diameter/offset which is stamped on the inside of this leaky wheel to get correct replacement.

Elbandito

We got a keyboard warrior over here

Elbandito

I see some replicas on eBay vs OEM, any ideas if the replicas are worth considering?

Tirgoman

I totally agree, fixing the wheel by welding is not a good way to go, if indeed it's cracked you need to trash it. I would get the wheel and tire in a tub of water and confirm the leak is in the wheel itself. If so you need a new or original replacement wheel. The problem with any wheel other than a new wheel is you don't know what it's been through, how many pot holes it's hit. And who's going to warranty a used wheel. If it was me I'd bite the bullet and buy a new wheel from a dealer, it's,LL be painful but the safest way to go.

GreekUPS

Lololol

Sailorlite

I think most, or at least some, alloy wheels can indeed be successfully repaired.

You could confirm that the cause of your leak is the wheel and not the tire and then get local references for good wheel or tire repair (and "warranty').

Mr. J

Bogus! These are wheels not aircraft engine mounts. Welding of Al is only prohibited when the materials are extremely thin.

netboy

i actually have a wheels repair owner said to me it' unsafe to weld/repair a cracked rim. she said when you hit a pothole on the freeway with a weld/repaired rim, you can lose control of your vehicle.

fabbrisd1

If a leak is caused by a bent rim - which can be hidden on the inside of the rim - then that kindof thing is easily worked out.

A "crack" - which happens from impact - frankly requires wheel replacement for safety.. if "welded" that wheel is substantially "weaker" than the non-welded wheels

realeric

Without photos, who can answer it? The technician will know it better than anyone here since he could see it in person.

DoorHandle_LED

I would avoid replicas. No way to verify quality. You can get quality aftermarket wheels for as little as $700. I would personal go with Enkei which manufacturers OEM wheels for Honda and Toyota.

Elbandito

I bought the rim but it doesn’t come with TPMS, are those easy to swap from my old rim to the new one? I’m dropping about .5-1PSI per week and when I took it to the tire shop, they saw the crack and immediately said it’s from the cracked rim, but when they sprayed soap water on it, no bubbles were forming. They told me that if it’s a small leak, we may see faint bubbles..I honesty don’t know if the tire is leaking vs. whether this drop in PSI is from the weather. About 8 days ago, I put air in the tire to 41psi (after driving it) and now when the tire is warm it gets to38-40PSI

DoorHandle_LED

Yes, that's exactly what I did.