Weepy tire?

[Ajax MD]

I have a Wrangler M/T with a slow leak. I have shot soapy solution all over this thing and can't seem to find any leaks. I may need to remove the wheel and lay it horizontally to check for leaks again.

Is it common for the wheel O-rings to spring a leak? It doesn't seem like a big deal to replace the O-ring as long as I'm using the same tire and run-flat. Am I missing anything?

 

[TOBASH]

Did you check the valve, and the point where the valve meets the rim?

Did you actually check the O-ring seal between the split rim?

 

[Ajax MD]

Did you check the valve, and the point where the valve meets the rim?

Did you actually check the O-ring seal between the split rim?

Yes, I soaped up the valve stem where it meets the rim. Nothing.

After checking the -20, the O-ring is not where I thought it was. The O-ring seems to be on the "back side" so it seems that I do need to remove the wheel and spray down the back side...or at least jack up the truck and spray it down while rolling the tire.

 

[gringeltaube]

Your wheel could look like this one....

And yes, if it leaks at the O-ring you may be able to confirm without removing the wheel.
Check the front side as well, around each nut and/or holes.

Best method I have found is to wet a sponge with soapy solution and squeeze it onto the suspected area, to create a layer of stable foam. Then just watch any bubbles grow... Works better than just spraying-on, IMHO.

 

[Ajax MD]

@gringeltaube Ah, very helpful! I'm a visual learner.

 

[gringeltaube]

BTW: that very same wheel pictured above looked- and sealed perfect after a little TLC... even reusing the same old O-ring.

Another suggestion - and something you don't find in the TMs: when reassembling these, cover both wheel halves with wheel bearing grease, where they contact each other. That keeps the gap filled with grease and prevents any corrosion, for years...

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

I throw them into the hot tub to find leaks....

 

[TOBASH]

I throw them into the hot tub to find leaks....

I guess afterward your hot tub can double as a refreshing mud bath.

 

[Chief B]

I throw them into the hot tub to find leaks....

I use those plastic kiddie pools. They are cheaper than most diagnostic tools we use on vehicles these days.

 

[papakb]

You didn't say what your leak down rate is and if it takes a couple of days to bleed down just a few pounds I doubt your going to find it with a bubble leak check. Pull the wheel apart and clean the mating surfaces. I like the grease idea to help seal things up. Replace the O-ring on the valve stem and put in a new schrader valve. You can replace the inner valve without replacing the entire valve assembly.

I don't know where you got your tires but if you bought used Wrangler MTs they are known for sidewall leaks where they get punctured by desert thorns out at NTC. The Army replaces them instead of repairing them.

 

[TOBASH]

So, after reading all the posts about split rims, I don't understand why we can't just use a silicon bead between the rims to seal them up. Either that or a solid sheet of man-made rubber with cut-outs for the bolts. Yes, the rubber beads would be better... But what about in an emergency? If you smooth off all the rust and paint the area between the rims, the silicon should seal in the air. Pulling them apart afterwards might suck, but using the "engine cherry picker method" would get it done.

Am I missing something?

 

[gringeltaube]

Am I missing something?

Yes and no..... A flat rubber gasket like you describe would probably be squeezed out and rip apart even before you got all nuts torqued to specs.
But a bead of silicone - or much better yet PU-sealant - instead of the O-ring, does work very well and I have proof enough of it.
Separating both halves is not a problem either: you just loosen all nuts about two turns and air up. I guarantee it takes less than 10psi.

 

[Ajax MD]

You didn't say what your leak down rate is and if it takes a couple of days to bleed down just a few pounds I doubt your going to find it with a bubble leak check. Pull the wheel apart and clean the mating surfaces. I like the grease idea to help seal things up. Replace the O-ring on the valve stem and put in a new schrader valve. You can replace the inner valve without replacing the entire valve assembly.

I don't know where you got your tires but if you bought used Wrangler MTs they are known for sidewall leaks where they get punctured by desert thorns out at NTC. The Army replaces them instead of repairing them.

It takes about 24 hours to get to 0 psi. I figured for a leak that fast, I should be able to see something. I haven't had a chance to mess with it yet.

 

[gringeltaube]

It takes about 24 hours to get to 0 psi. I figured for a leak that fast, I should be able to see something.

Yeah, you'll find it quick - that's a big "hole"... or even more than one.