Corroded chrome wheels & air leaks - help?

[Jaidnoire]

Hi all, NY owner of a Black 01 PT LE with 55k miles....

Bought my PT in '06, since then I've dealt with the not-so-slow air leaks due to the flaking, corroding chrome plated wheels that came with the car. Not understanding the depth of the problem, I just bought new tires, but am still dealing with the leaks. I have to get air atleast once a week. It's horrible AND scary reading about the possibility of catastrophic tire failure - especially now that I have a baby that I'm toting around....

Anyway, I realize that the only way to cure this is to get new rims (reluctantly because I just had a baby and $ is tight). I've done some cheap minor mods since I bought the car - it's black so I've added a few pieces of chrome trim, small flames and a chrome flame antenna. I would like to continue with the chrome details and the rims add to that look. I do not, however, want to get another set of chrome wheels to only have to replace them again due to them degrading. I live in NYC (salted roads in the winter) and am not really interested in having to switch out my tires summer/winter.

Can anyone give any advice on what look/type of wheel I should go for...?

[04stocker]

I've had the same problem and I get the rims cleaned when I swap my
tires summer to winter. I'd probably get new wheels (and definitely not 17's)
but right now I have a new set of summer and winter tires which I hate to waste

[Bosch]

A lot of us have sold off our OEM wheels, but there are always new owners trying to get rid of wheels since they upgraded.

Look for a neon owner that is selling wheels or a PT owner that is selling OEM wheels, direct bolt on. VW Jetta Steelies will work to, just have to double check the bolt pattern and backspace for those.

bolt pattern s/b 5x100
Back space +35

Sometimes the deals you can get can make it worth having summer/winter wheels. I got the set of rims I use as drag tires for a steal. $50 for the plain steelies..

[Jaidnoire]

Thanks all for your input!


$$ is tight, but, I'm thinking that it might be best for me to spend the it on new rims and not have to worry about this anymore. At least I don't have to worry about buying a whole package - my 16" tires were all seasons bought this past summer. I'm looking at some painted rims with maybe a chrome lip or inserts or something. Something chrome decorative and less likely to mess with the function of the rim. As a first time mom, as much as I love my PT, I have no time to fuss with this aspect of it anymore. I spent many days last summer hugely pregnant and in the local tire shop replacing tires, then valves (3 times + 1 time near my job when I came out after work to a total flat tire). Why did no one suggest the sanding process I now keep hearing about when I was there <_<

Any way - Thanks for the info on the bolt pattern and possible deals. Hopefully when I get the new rims I can come back and post a pic!

[marvin]

I had the same issue with a set of aftermarket rims. Once the chrome started to peel a leak began. I brought the rims back to the shop I bought them at ( 4 years later ) and they looked at the rims and said "happens all the time" they took the wheel and tire off, taped off the edge and took a wire wheel to the inside bead edge of the rim. Blew it off with the air gun put so bead sealer all around the edge and done deal.

[ute]

just get some tubes about $10-15 each easy fix

[Jaidnoire]

I did that last summer....still leaks... I'm not looking for an easy fix at this point...

[marvin]

Originally Posted by Jaidnoire

I did that last summer....still leaks... I'm not looking for an easy fix at this point...

Have you dunked the tire in water? could the valve stem be your leak? If its not seated right it will leak just the same. Also the valve in the middle has to be screwed in all the way.

[marvin]

If they pulled the tire and bead sealed it, I will bet there is a crack in the rim or the stem is your issue. Its hard to believe that if the inside is smooth and there isn't a gash of some sort on the inside that it won't hold air. Dunk the tire in water your self or get out the dishsoap and some water and coat the rim all over until you find all the leaks. There could be more than one.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Aluminium rims are bad for leaks, my stock ones were really bad for leaking and the chrome pitted. Alot of people around here buy cheap steel rims for the winter and mount their snow tires on the steel rims leaving the chrome rims for the summer.
On my rims I have the tires removed and cleaned them and remounting the tires. My Aluminium rims on my 4x4 have not leaked at all in 6 years and they had all kinds of abuse from mud, salt, rim cleaners, and being off road.