Corroded rims causing air to leak.

[Matt42]

Originally Posted by daisy102656

I too am having this problem. Tire went flat, not realizing, backed out of my parking spot, then discovered it. Had it towed and was told I had indeed caused some damage to the tire as well. I've had the air lead problems since I bought it new, 2001. I did have the wheel sanded and it lasted awhile, but came back pretty quickly it seemed. I also just failed my car inspection due to bad front right tie rod. I live paycheck to paycheck and no means of borrowing money or charging it to get it fixed. So, does it make sense for me to go to purchase a new tire and wheel myself and have the service station fix it or just let me order them? Also what is a resonable cost to have the tie rod fixed, plus i hear it will need to be balanced and alighned, is the alighnment imperative at this point? Being a woman on my own and broke, I want to try and not be overcharged or told I need more than I really due.
Sorry guys, you know us women, nothing is short and sweet, lol.

Brenda

It's a good idea to put up your general location in your profile. There may be a member nearby who can help in some way, or maybe direct you to a mechanic who is honest. If you lived near me, I would be pleased to do what I could to assist. But I suspect that you live across the country.

When you have a tie rod end replaced, alignment will probably be needed. Balancing a wheel/tire is not needed after a tie rod or tie rod end end replacement and don't let anybody preying on you try to tell you otherwise. If your mechanic tells you that you need a wheel balance after a tie rod replacement, you need a new mechanic.

If you replace a tire or a wheel or a tire and wheel, then yes, balancing is needed. Are your wheels chrome plated aluminum? They would be shiny and not use a wheel cover. Those have the worst problems with corroding. The steel wheels can rust, but are much cheaper to replace.

I am grateful that I live in a state where annual inspections aren't required. Some might think that to be odd, because cars here tend to last 20 or more years and parts can wear out and literally fall off. What I see, though, is that in some places where the safety inspections are mandatory, shops use them as legalized theft with the full force of the state police behind them to grab money from people who can ill afford it. Many tie rods, tie rod ends and ball joints have been sold to people who didn't really need them. All that was really needed was a $5 rubber boot (and maybe $50 labor) to replace the slightly cracked rubber cover on the original part. And a small crack or tear in the boot does not in any way mean that the whole part is bad. But the place that does the inspection and issues the certificate decides if you need the repair, and also does the repair, so you are their hostage if you want to register your car.

Here in Arizona, and only in the metro areas, we have mandatory smog inspections. There's only one contractor. The contractor has several locations, and all they do is inspections. You pass or you don't. The contractor is not permitted to do any smog system repairs or any auto work of any kind, so there's no financial incentive for them to find a problem where is none.

Sorry about the length of this, you know about us guys.

[ptjoe]

Originally Posted by mycarhascellulite

My front tire on my 2001 limited edition PT cruiser has a slow leak. I went to get it looked at and they told me, "Eventually you'll need to get new rims" and filled my tire up. They said that my valve stem hole was corroded and may eventually cut the valve stem.

So I did a lot of googling and found out that many other people have this same problem. I don't know what the next step is. Do I contact a Chrysler dealership? Buy new rims? Take it to a tire specialist and have them sand off the corrosion?

I have to make a 200 mile drive tonight and am worried that my car is unsafe to drive on. What would you advise?

Two of my 5 spoke chrome wheels on my 02 became so corroded both inside & out, I had air loss plus jagged sharp and dangerous chrome peeling away from from the wheel.
Any attempt at wiiping or cleaning the darn things risked amputation.
I eventually found a good deal by swapping the 2 good wheels with four of the 03 clad 6 spoke chromes. Little to no problems up till now.
Those first chrome wheels were very problematic & finding good replacements cheap is difficult. They bring a premium at wheel shops.
Joe
Joe