Hey folks, my front two summer tires on the 19" sport wheels lose air quicker than the rear. They've done this since I got my car, the wheels are heavily rashed, but no bad vibrations and balance well. I've had the tires replaced and hoped that would fix it but no improvement.

My summer tires and wheels are still off the car, I figure I can do some investigating before I do my winter to summer swap. I've read recommendations of using window cleaner, or dish soap diluted in water and spraying it all over the tire and wheel. This worries me though, both of these seem really bad for the rubber. Would car wash soap (Meguiars gold) mixed with water be bubbly enough?

 

Did the shop not check for leaks when putting new tires on? I'd just take it up there and have them put the entire wheel in a water bucket I've seen them use.

 

Car wash soap will do fine. Make it really soapy so that it will show bubbles easily. Best to take them off so you can examine the whole wheel easily.

 

I also use windex. I always have it under my sink so I just grab it, spray, and look for leaks.

 

I did the soap test on my front two wheels. They both are leaking where the collar meets the valve stem and at the base of the collar. My guess is the rubber seal on the inside part of the wheel is old and useless. I tightened the collar but the bubbles kept coming slowly.

The are a $3 each at my parts store which is nice and cheap, but dismounting, remounting and hunter roadforce balancing seems like it may cost a $150. Contemplating waiting til I need to replace the tires to do this. They've got another 2 summers if I am lucky.

Can anyone confirm that the rubber seal is indeed inside the wheel??

Here is a pic of the bubbles on my dirty, rashed wheels