OZ wheel sealing questions
Discussion
I recently had a puncture in a rear tyre. (400SE with standard OZ wheels) The tyre was badly damaged by a 6 inch nail. Prior to this the wheel did not leak air at the joint between the two parts of the wheel rim.
After fitting a new tyre it quickly deflated (a few hours). Air was found to be leaking steadily from a bolt on the rim plus small leaks from adjacent bolts.
The new tyre was removed and when the wheel was examined it was found that there was a band of rubbery sealant in the wheel well round the joint between the two halves of the rim.
This sealant was damaged near to the leaking bolts - probably by the point of the nail.
The bolts joining the two parts of the wheel are not the original OZ splined type so I know the wheel has been refurbished at some time before I bought the car.
In the wheel well there is a groove between the two parts of the wheel, which is roughly triangular shape (abt 7mm x 5mm x 9mm).
Grey sealant had been used to fill this and overlapped a little on to the adjacent flat area so as to give a fairly level surface in the well of the wheel.
There also appeared to be traces of a thin black seal.
QUESTIONS
1. Does anyone know how the split rim parts are usually sealed?
2. Is sealant applied between the two halves before bolting together; or is the groove between the wheel parts sealed after bolting together?
3. What sealant is used?
Any info, advice, or experiences appreciated
Fall-back plan is to clean out existing sealant from the groove and refil the groove using Sikaflex.
Rgds
Hamish
After fitting a new tyre it quickly deflated (a few hours). Air was found to be leaking steadily from a bolt on the rim plus small leaks from adjacent bolts.
The new tyre was removed and when the wheel was examined it was found that there was a band of rubbery sealant in the wheel well round the joint between the two halves of the rim.
This sealant was damaged near to the leaking bolts - probably by the point of the nail.
The bolts joining the two parts of the wheel are not the original OZ splined type so I know the wheel has been refurbished at some time before I bought the car.
In the wheel well there is a groove between the two parts of the wheel, which is roughly triangular shape (abt 7mm x 5mm x 9mm).
Grey sealant had been used to fill this and overlapped a little on to the adjacent flat area so as to give a fairly level surface in the well of the wheel.
There also appeared to be traces of a thin black seal.
QUESTIONS
1. Does anyone know how the split rim parts are usually sealed?
2. Is sealant applied between the two halves before bolting together; or is the groove between the wheel parts sealed after bolting together?
3. What sealant is used?
Any info, advice, or experiences appreciated
Fall-back plan is to clean out existing sealant from the groove and refil the groove using Sikaflex.
Rgds
Hamish
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=243946&f=12&h=0&hw=bolts
Hello Hamish follow the above url and you will start to answer your questions. There is no sealant between the hub and the rim faces, just sealant beaded around the edge, (see photo in the link). The type of sealant is an inert type of silicone sealant. Search on 'Dow Corning' on Google and you should find a Dow Corning ref No, (which is an industry standard), then search on flea bay (- or if you're really desperate B&Q), for an equivalent product. One tube should do you. Leave to dry for 24 hours and you're in business. Good Luck. Garry
Hello Hamish follow the above url and you will start to answer your questions. There is no sealant between the hub and the rim faces, just sealant beaded around the edge, (see photo in the link). The type of sealant is an inert type of silicone sealant. Search on 'Dow Corning' on Google and you should find a Dow Corning ref No, (which is an industry standard), then search on flea bay (- or if you're really desperate B&Q), for an equivalent product. One tube should do you. Leave to dry for 24 hours and you're in business. Good Luck. Garry
When I rebuilt my OZ wheels and put all new nuts and bolts in, I used Dow Corning 794s Neutral Silicone. I spread a thin layer between the wheel hub and the rim face then tightened all the bolts, wiped around the rim and hub face (ooh er missus)and left it for 24 hours before putting the tyres back on.
You could try refilling the split but wouldn't guarantee the result.
Only used half a tube for four wheels.
Seals perfectly at 22psi....
You could try refilling the split but wouldn't guarantee the result.
Only used half a tube for four wheels.
Seals perfectly at 22psi....
Edited by Snow Mole on Thursday 14th September 18:52
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