Sealant For A Leaky Centerline Wheel ?

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RPMagoo

Just An Old Motorhead
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I have a Centerline Auto Drag Wheel that causes a slow, air, leak. -- I assume that the leak starts at the seam, between the beads, under the tire. -- See illustration, below. -- Has anyone had this problem ? -- What would be a good sealant for this situation ?
Centerline - 2 Pieces.JPG
 
Seeing how they are drilled for slicks, I would assume a tube.

There has been some posts about re-sealing them in the past though.
 
Use a good dish soap that works every time. Make sure the wheels are not pitted, also what are you using for a valve stem?
 
Watch the center bead ,between the rim halves.. Not often, have seen it happen. Avoid tubes on radial tires,if possible.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjALegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0xL90qzK0T4cvGRQhE_z-X
Go old School : tire tank that wheel ,with an installed tire ..Be patient , see if BUBBLES leak. Very few tire people research anymore...... ..."replacement ,instead of finding the real problem ... "What size rim ,and what tire ,size...?
 
Where are they leaking at ? OH I see know. I have used silicone in the past. Home depot sell some silicone sealer for aluminum gutters and the stuff is tuff stuff.
 
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you can remove the old silicone from where the halves meet and use a good industrial silicone. also use a good bolt in valve stem. I also chucked mine up in a lathe and took some fine emory cloth to the bead area.
 
I 've got a centerline that leaks like that, between the rivited halves. Under water the bubbles came out of the center hole and stud holes, put a tube in it and have run 2 radial tires on it with no problems. I see posted above that may not be advisable with radials. No argument here, just saying.
 
I 've got a centerline that leaks like that, between the rivited halves. Under water the bubbles came out of the center hole and stud holes, --
-- Mine too. We need to seal the area, as in post # 1.
 
I had to do one. Most of the old silicone came out in one long piece. Used a wire brush to clean the area and finished with some lacquer thinner. I used a regular tube of clear silicone in the caulk gun. I put a thin bead on and tried to force it down with my finger first. Then load it up and smooth it out like the original was. I let it dry for a couple days, worked good.
 
IIRC silicone window sealer was the ticket. Want it runny to get in there, you can cut it with mineral spirits. Slime will find the hole but it sorta needs to be outboard so the centrifugal force will put it there are the hole. Not sure it will find the inboard leaks.
 
<~~~~ Carries a plug kit in the motorcycle saddle bags for the tubeless tires. From experience those big Dunlops will run flat until you find air, within reason. Little spooky in the corners :steering:.
 
Some of the sand dune buggy guys I know pour a can of sweetened condensed milk in those big paddle tires when they mount them. They tell me it works just fine. Stranger things have happened. :realcrazy:
 
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