Chronic Tire Bead Leak

treillw

WKR
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
2,041
Location
MT
I have a vehicle that constantly has bead leaks in the winter. Such a pain to constantly be filling the tires. Any remedies?

Thanks!
 

Sandstrom

WKR
Joined
Sep 24, 2020
Messages
418
They sell a product called tire bead sealer. It works well. Most tire shops should have it. It is very easy to apply, be sure when they break the bead to install it that they clean the bead surface well on the wheel, more than likely if it is corroded. This should fix your problem!
Ryan
 

bigmoose

WKR
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
586
Location
Yerington Nv.
I would take it to my tire guy and have him break it down. Check the rim for cracks at the valve stem and the tire itself for tears along the bead. Have him clean the rim smooth where the bead rests and use a good soapy solution to remount the tire.
 

ApeComic

FNG
Joined
Oct 1, 2021
Messages
70
Tire shop will be your best bet. Ive had good luck breaking the tire down, cleaning the bead well and then using silicone spray but I've got my own machine. Never used the bead sealer but I'm sure it serves its purpose.
 
Joined
Jul 15, 2018
Messages
320
Location
Southwest Ohio / WV Native
Fought this same thing for a few years on an old suburban. Only leaked in winter and slowly. Finally had a shop break it down and found the alloy rim was cracked and needed replaced.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2021
Messages
1,757
Location
Oregon
Could be a bent rim too, i had that happen with my last sportscar

Edit: my tire shop reset the bead once for me but said there wasn't much else they could do about it. It only leaked when it sat with the bent part pointing downward overnight but it still sucked
 
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Messages
2,586
Location
Lowcountry, SC
Fix the problem?

Tires leaking = broken system. You can inject Slime for easy DIY. You can use a good rim seal, but much easier for a tire shop to do that since you have to break the bead. Or you can get a good tire shop to inspect the rim and solve the problem.
 
OP
treillw

treillw

WKR
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
2,041
Location
MT
With rotating the tires, it's hard to keep track of which one(s) was leaking. I've been back to the tire shop at least twice to get them inspected after the first couple bead leaks. Didn't change things much. So I just succumbed to refilling them. But winter is here again and I'm thinking there has to be a better way. Guess I'll call them again and see what they say.

Thanks!
 
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Messages
2,586
Location
Lowcountry, SC
With rotating the tires, it's hard to keep track of which one(s) was leaking. I've been back to the tire shop at least twice to get them inspected after the first couple bead leaks. Didn't change things much. So I just succumbed to refilling them. But winter is here again and I'm thinking there has to be a better way. Guess I'll call them again and see what they say.

Thanks!
Again, Slime is a quick and relatively inexpensive home remedy that will probably work. Works down to -35F.
 

GSPHUNTER

WKR
Joined
Jun 30, 2020
Messages
4,592
Does this happen on all rims, make sure to add air when tires are cold. If one tire, have you, maybe damaged the rim while off road or hit something. Other than that, do as others have recommended on this thread.
 

cod007

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
259
Very simple to put that tire in a container full of water and see/ mark precisely where tire/rim is leaking. Tire guy should be able to break down the bead buff/wire brush the bad spot to prevent further leakage. Decades ago when I worked at a service station this was routine work. We often used plain old axle grease to lube rims which also helped with bead leaks.
 

Frank Grimes

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 13, 2017
Messages
205
Location
Canada, BC
Bead seal is garbage.
if you need it something is wrong.
Have someone take the tire off the rims, and properly clean them as well as clean the bead on the tire. Reinstall with good lube and make sure it’s properly seated when reinflated.
 

11boo

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
2,461
Location
Grand Jct, CO
Had to take my new truck back yesterday for exactly that, slow leak a tire shop couldn’t find. Random too, it would hold air for a week or two, then be 6 lbs low. Hope the dealer found it.
 

WA209

FNG
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Messages
87
Bead on wheel is corroded or has chipping/failing finish…..
Or
Manufacturers often place small bar code sticker directly on bead of tire. It’s just enough to cause annoying minuscule leak….. I spent a lot of time as a youngster pealing those buggers off.
 
Top