Wheel rusted through - what to do!

[ajh51]

Hello all,

This must have happened to somebody else but my search didn't find anything.

I've had what I thought was a slow puncture for a week or so. However it turns out to be air leaking out THROUGH the wheel rim!!! A solution of soapy water shows bubbles where the inner part of the wheel - the spider I think they call it - is welded to the actual rim. I am sure that this means that the rim has rusted right through.

Needless to say I've got the spare on now but the other wheels don't look much better, so new wheels are now a priority.

Any suggestions - I'm tempted to get a set of mini-lites but my significant other prefers the look of the original steels. We only have the car because she loves its looks - so that's an important factor! Does anyone know where I might get a new set of steels, or a used set in good condition?

Cheers as ever,
Andy H.

[222s]

Is it a saloon or estate? Saloons ran 4J rims, estates had wider (4.5J) rims, which are in higher demand so correspondingly more expensive, but still available secondhand. Never tried looking for the 4J saloon rims but suspect it would be easy to find a good replacement set.

As for the rust issues, been there, got the T shirt - the valve on the inner tube broke through it's mounting hole...........

[ajh51]

Nasty!

That's interesting about the different widths - It's a saloon so that gives me a bit more hope, especially if folk have been trading up to the 4.5Js.

I'll ring round the usual suspects tomorrow. But if anyone has a good set - especially if they are near Edinburgh, let me know!

[stuart bankier]

I have a couple of reasonable ones which you can have FOC and I live near Berwick

[austingipsy]

Simon at brookhouse is doing a new batch of powder coated rims. 4.5 I think. I was going to buy a set as my rims are in a similar condition to yours but I had a bit of luck on ebay so shiney new shoes all round.

[James A Sousa]

That is pretty odd. I suggest that you have the tire removed and view the problem. Perhaps a defect can be found.

With luck, the offending spot can be ground away and a repair welded. A repair that is V-shaped with the widest part on the inside will stay put quite well.

I have saloon and wagon wheels for my PV and in addition to being wider, the wagon wheels are made of thicker metal, I can easily feel the difference in weight.

[ajh51]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the help. In the end I have just got a set of reconditioned 4.5J rims from Rob at Amazon Cars. It just seemed easiest, especially as it turns out my car had a mix of 4J and 4.5J rims on it.

They are very nice, bit cheaper than Brookhouse. Both Amazoncars and Brookhouse's wheels were painted - Simon said he didn't currently do powder coated versions - however I'm very pleased with the quality of paint on the wheels Rob has supplied.

When I get a minute I'll have a close look at the two very rusty rims and report back about their condition but they do look pretty rough at the weld points.

Cheers again,
Andy.

[TomTom]

Just out of interest, does that extra half an inch give you a wider choice of tyres? I'm fairly happy with the standard 165R15s but sometimes the car is more slippy than I would like, with an outside force behind the slipping, like strong winds, rather than the driver. Thanks
Tom

[barney paull-edwards]

Try Boston Engineering on 01205361218, they band wheels and certify them. Not bodgers,they did some for me two years ago to be used as pulleys on a winch(big wire) and they took over 22 tons of load. Your wheels are dangerous,blast them and check for other rust damage,then throw away the rims and get them welded onto a banded rim.