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Q&As since 1989
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DO PINHOLES IN THE RIMS MAKE AIR LEAK FROM THE TIRES?
WE RECENTLY WERE TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE REASON THE TIRES ON A BIG CHEVY SUBARU KEPT GOING FLAT WERE BECAUSE THERE WERE PINHOLES IN THE RIMS. THE RIMS WERE TRADED OFF AND FOUR USED (DECENT TIRES) WERE APPLIED AT THE TOTAL COST OF 85.00 AND THE ALUMiNUM RIMS. WERE WE RIPPED OFF? WHAT ARE A SET OF ALUMINUM CHEVY SUBARU RIMS WORTH?
HEATHER LANGSTON- PORT ORANGE UNITED STATES
2006
First of two simultaneous responses --
If there were pinholes in the rims, the air is leaking through the pinholes, not the tires. It seems like a can of fix-a-flat could have taken care of that problem. Apparently you are not having the problem with the replacement tires going flat since you didn't mention it. It's very strange for all of the tires to be going flat at the same time, I guess if the rims were all cast at the same time it's possible that they could all have pinholes to a degree that air was able to leak from them. Either way, changing the tires shouldn't have been necessary. You didn't provide enough information to determine the cost of the rims.
Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2006
Second of two simultaneous responses --
Probably a rip-off, unless the tires were an improvement. I seriously doubt that the rims were sold for scrap; the mechanic perhaps lacquered the insides and sold to replace someone's steel rims with 'rusty bead seals.'
Aluminum wheels can have pinhole leaks as cast, but they are completely sealed by the manufacturer.
Original, aluminum 'Chevy Subaru' rims would be valuable collector items, but a set (4) of 16" Chevy Suburban aluminum rims was listed on eBay for a mere $100 + $40 s&h.
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2006
Wasn't the Chevy Subaru an Aussie model? And don't tell me I got ripped off on the rusty bead seal con, crap! Next thing you'll tell me is that the muffler bearings don't have to be changed every 6000 miles.
Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2006
How many Subarus does a Suburban have in a typical litter, Sheldon?
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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