New Chrome Wheels

[Welker]

This will probably sound dumb but on the off chance there is an answer I'll go ahead with it. I have a slow tire leak due to an imperfection or rust or something related to the chrome wheel. Nobody in my town can or will try to fix the problem saying it is something a specialist should do or I should have the wheel rechromed. I carry a pump in the trunk and use it maybe once a week or so even though the car spends most of its time in the garage. I would have to drive to Phoenix to find somebody who could fix the problem....maybe.....and I know sending it off for rechroming would be expensive if I could find somebody who would do it and, of course, while it is gone I have nothing but the spare to put on the car. That really isn't the problem. What I would like to do is buy four new wheels, good looking and not obviously non original....but better looking. I have looked at lots of pictures but don't see anything that says Ford and for sure not Thunderbird. Any ideas?

[Brad]

Need to find a shop that will grind and seal it. Look for a smaller independent shop. Last time I was at Discount tires they told me they don't do it anymore for some reason. Any used tire shops in your area? Call around.

[FUN X 3]

I had the same problem with a tire on my Bird, my local mechanic shop took care of it. They used a grinder so the wheel and tire would seal properly and not lose air.

[Alamobird]

Spot on advice from Brad and Phil. Had the same slow leak problem with one of the chrome Vogue wheels on a previous Cadillac. I had recently purchased a set of Michelin’s at Discount Tire. One tire started loosing air, but they wouldn’t attempt to fix the rim after they identified it as the source of the leak. They wanted to sell me a new set of wheels as the solution.

Took it to the Vogue rep at one of the local Cadillac dealers and he ground away the flaking chrome on the inside of the rim and remounted the tire with a heavy dose of sealant. Lasted for several years until we traded the the car.

[Jimr]

Ask a body shop near you to recommend a wheel rebuilder. They use them often.

[birdfan]

I know I am repeating the previous advice, but I had two alloy wheels (different cars) with the "rim leak" and the tire shop fixed them. It was inexpensive and WAY less than new wheels would be. So, it may take a little searching, but it should be able to be fixed.

[FatMan]

Carid.com has some remand stock wheels, you can get custom wheels close to the same $$

[Fredrik73]

I just restored 8 rims for my veteran cars, there was also leaking problems, I got help with taking the tyres off the rims
and then I used a grinding thing (dont know what its called in english se picture) and grinded the surfice where the tyre sits. After restoration of rims i got new soft tyres and new valves and NO more leaks
51924-grovrengorare-lila-3m-scotch-brite.jpg

[Welker]

Thanks everybody, I'll make the rounds with the locals again. Maybe better luck this time.

[RustyFrye]

....a grinding thing (dont know what its called in english ......)

In some parts of the country, I think this is called a "grinding thing" in English, but I could be wrong.
Capture.PNG

[Welker]

Thanks everybody for the input. I went to Big O and they said there really is no easy fix but if I bring the car in they will take a look and maybe do a little grinding and put in some beading if the damage isn't too bad. I'll try that . I have been pricing new wheels and there are sites that recognize the Thunderbird sizes but I note that they don't always agree. The size wheel they quote is either a 17 x 7 or a 17 x 8. Does anybody with some experience know which size is right or does it matter?

[007Cruiser]

Don’t forget to get an offset that also works.

[DavidA]

You could also get thicker air.

[kbrighton]

The size wheel they quote is either a 17 x 7 or a 17 x 8. Does anybody with some experience know which size is right or does it matter?

Rims are 17x7.5, 5x108 (107.95mm / 4.31in), 60mm offset, 4.25 bolt circle

Source: http://www.portholeauthority.com/the...rd/Wheels.html

[wcoates]

Don’t forget to get an offset that also works.

I have bought for my own use some different Lincoln LS wheels of the same years as our Birds and they are the same size including offset. Had two sets chromed and they are on some members cars. (forget whose-damn getting old and forgetting!)