front wheel / tire problems

FLAcharlie · Dec 24, 2013

So after 10 years with my '50 N, finally got a flat up front back in the spring. The other side was still holding air, but looked worse, so I got two new tires and tubes.
The local tire place, which does do tractor tires from time to time told me the rims were really badly corroded inside and they'd lined the inside with duck tape to try to protect the tubes.

Well on one side it was needing inflation monthly, the other side was holding fine. So I used "Fix-a-flat" on the one side, and actually that side is now holding fine. But this last week the other side died, and the Fix-a-flat trick didn't work, at all.

I'll get new tubes, the new tires should still be fine.

My options are to get a couple new rims, looks like $60 each on eBay, or remove the current ones and grind them down inside so the tubes don't get punctured.

I will also take the opportunity to renew the bearing assemblies, which were badly worn, but made it through the mowing season OK.

What's the advice ?

And oh yes, Merry Christmas !

Royse · Dec 24, 2013

Kind of hard to say without actually seeing how bad they are.
Most standard 6 bolt implement rims will bolt right on though.
Tires will be fine as you said.

old · Dec 24, 2013

What I do with rims is remove the tires and tubes. Grind them smooth as I can then coat them with pick up truck bed liner spray. That puts a nice heavy coat of a rubber like stuff on them so they do not rust and the tubes stay good

arnold z · Dec 24, 2013

Most tire places won't do much to get rid of the rust before they tape them up. I've had a couple that I took a small ball peen to inside, especially where the bead and the center groove roll together. Then paint and tape. The small ball peen wil fix up the little sharp spots and remove the rusty, but not yet flaky metal

Old 8 Guy · Dec 24, 2013

You might think about having the front tires filled solid then you won't have to worry about air again. Just a thought, what I did.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hobo,NC · Dec 24, 2013

I figure if you have to ask this question then you are not tooled up are capable to fix them... I would buy new rims and move on... I can deal with a flat but don't need to deal with a bad rim...

I have fixed my share and none of them were fun to do...

NoNewParts · Dec 25, 2013

like said, tire places don't care about that stuff.
if you are saving old rims, get the old tire off at home,
cut it off if you have to. Then you can fix it and paint it inside and out yourself, before you take it in.
But, as far as fronts.....for me, cleaning and painting a good front is ok, but if it is bad, I find a good used one or go new.
Since we run much higher pressures in the front than rear and
they take a lot of impacts.......I treat a junk front rim as junk.
It always makes me nervous airing up flat tires with bad rims when I buy a junker to get it on the trailer.

souNdguy · Dec 25, 2013

all depends on how bad they are as others have said.

could be anything from light rust that made a few abrasion spots. to a ruined rim.

if the rim is salvageable.. you can wire wheel it down.. then electrolysis if needed.. then sand down to remove any corosion or deposits. dry, then prime and paint with a good rust control primer and .. my choice is an epoxy paint. very durable.

then go in witht he tubes and tires. if there is some pitting.. you can use the old tube as a boot..

front wheel / tire problems

FLAcharlie

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Royse

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

arnold z

Member

Old 8 Guy

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Hobo,NC

Well-known Member

NoNewParts

Member

souNdguy

Well-known Member

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