3 peice wheels owners - how often do you reseal? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

AuburnRyan · 02-24-2006, 09:24 AM

So I've got my volk 3 peice set used form JDM land. They have white silicone in the "valley" where the 2 rim pieces and face meet - LOL.

Should I reseal them before I mount new tires? How -
- should I overlay the old silicone in the middle of the wheel,
- or ultra PITA take the wheels apart, remove old silicone, reseal, and assemble. Is this necessary?

Everyone using home depot SPL silicone or anything special?

This process must be the downside of three peice wheels

KiDyNomiTe · 02-24-2006, 09:33 AM

Never had to do it, but know someone that did it, but because he wanted to switch lips.

Unless you think the silicone is weak don't bother...

AuburnRyan · 02-24-2006, 09:34 AM

According to the internet (below) - but is anyone having issues with leaks etc. I'm not planning on yearly maintainence, but will do what's necessary to avoid issues. i.e. when tires are already off for any reason.

" Two & Three piece modular wheels require periodic maintenance. You'll want to work out your own maintenance schedule, but here's an example of what the manufacturer recommends.
Each Season disassemble, thoroughly inspect, clean, re-seal, and re-torque each wheel:
Replace wheel bolts each season
Wheel Bolt Torque:
1/4" bolts 15 ft/lbs. or 180 in./lbs
5/16" bolts 20 ft/lbs.
After thoroughly cleaning all mating surfaces with an appropriate cleaner, add a thin skim coat of silicone sealant to these surfaces, assemble wheel and torque bolts to recommended torque
Install a new valve stem
Add a thick coat of silicone sealant to the drop center area of the wheel and let it cure for 24 hours before initial use

Below is an example of cracking which can occur on wheels which don't support the back rim half with the center. This wheel happens to be a Dura-lite wheel.

Modular Wheel Leak Detection

So your tires keep going flat, before you blame those leaky slicks, check your wheels for leaks.
Inflate the tire/wheel combination to 40psi
Spray a solution of soapy water onto the wheel
Mark areas where bubbles appear with a tire crayon
If leaks in the wheel are found follow the maintenance procedure above to reseal the wheel

The most common cause for leaking modular wheels is; the tire changing person has stuck their tire spoon into the silicone seal and damaged it during a tire mount."

KiDyNomiTe · 02-24-2006, 09:38 AM

Meh, Im sure my 3 piece wheels have been in use for years and I have no idea where to get work bolts and wouldnt want to lose them...

s14xman · 02-24-2006, 11:05 AM

i don't think it's that big of a deal, i have never had any problem with my two piece. besides there are like a million of fasteners and i'm too lazy. I wouldn't worry about it unless they are showing signs

the head · 02-24-2006, 12:24 PM

Had a daily driver/auto x car that ran A032R tires that I replaced every summer I had three peice wheels on it never resealed them and i had the rims for four years that shit is BS unless they are leaking leave them alone

chmercer · 02-24-2006, 12:55 PM

i resealed one of mine when i took it apart to paint it. otherwise the other 3 have never been touched. theyre probably at least 5 years old.

studio · 02-25-2006, 12:48 AM

10 to 15 years that what ive heard but just look for cut or holes in the seal. if there is any then you need to worrie.

02-24-2006, 09:24 AM	#1
AuburnRyan Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 272 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	3 peice wheels owners - how often do you reseal? So I've got my volk 3 peice set used form JDM land. They have white silicone in the "valley" where the 2 rim pieces and face meet - LOL. Should I reseal them before I mount new tires? How - - should I overlay the old silicone in the middle of the wheel, - or ultra PITA take the wheels apart, remove old silicone, reseal, and assemble. Is this necessary? Everyone using home depot SPL silicone or anything special? This process must be the downside of three peice wheels __________________ '93 Fastback LE - Wrecked '91 Fastback HICAS and LSD - Sold '93 Fastback SE - Current

02-24-2006, 09:33 AM	#2
KiDyNomiTe Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chicago Age: 38 Posts: 6,296 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: KiDyNomiTe Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Never had to do it, but know someone that did it, but because he wanted to switch lips. Unless you think the silicone is weak don't bother... __________________ PROCEED Grip Gambler

02-24-2006, 09:34 AM	#3
AuburnRyan Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 272 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	According to the internet (below) - but is anyone having issues with leaks etc. I'm not planning on yearly maintainence, but will do what's necessary to avoid issues. i.e. when tires are already off for any reason. " Two & Three piece modular wheels require periodic maintenance. You'll want to work out your own maintenance schedule, but here's an example of what the manufacturer recommends. Each Season disassemble, thoroughly inspect, clean, re-seal, and re-torque each wheel: Replace wheel bolts each season Wheel Bolt Torque: 1/4" bolts 15 ft/lbs. or 180 in./lbs 5/16" bolts 20 ft/lbs. After thoroughly cleaning all mating surfaces with an appropriate cleaner, add a thin skim coat of silicone sealant to these surfaces, assemble wheel and torque bolts to recommended torque Install a new valve stem Add a thick coat of silicone sealant to the drop center area of the wheel and let it cure for 24 hours before initial use Below is an example of cracking which can occur on wheels which don't support the back rim half with the center. This wheel happens to be a Dura-lite wheel. Modular Wheel Leak Detection So your tires keep going flat, before you blame those leaky slicks, check your wheels for leaks. Inflate the tire/wheel combination to 40psi Spray a solution of soapy water onto the wheel Mark areas where bubbles appear with a tire crayon If leaks in the wheel are found follow the maintenance procedure above to reseal the wheel The most common cause for leaking modular wheels is; the tire changing person has stuck their tire spoon into the silicone seal and damaged it during a tire mount." __________________ '93 Fastback LE - Wrecked '91 Fastback HICAS and LSD - Sold '93 Fastback SE - Current

02-24-2006, 09:38 AM	#4
KiDyNomiTe Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chicago Age: 38 Posts: 6,296 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: KiDyNomiTe Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Meh, Im sure my 3 piece wheels have been in use for years and I have no idea where to get work bolts and wouldnt want to lose them... __________________ PROCEED Grip Gambler

02-24-2006, 11:05 AM	#5
s14xman Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: washington Age: 41 Posts: 1,022 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i don't think it's that big of a deal, i have never had any problem with my two piece. besides there are like a million of fasteners and i'm too lazy. I wouldn't worry about it unless they are showing signs __________________ FRontline (marinating since 02)

02-24-2006, 12:24 PM	#6
the head Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: in a dark room mastering the art of typing with one hand Posts: 2,164 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Had a daily driver/auto x car that ran A032R tires that I replaced every summer I had three peice wheels on it never resealed them and i had the rims for four years that shit is BS unless they are leaking leave them alone __________________ I never knew you could do that with an eggplant

02-24-2006, 12:55 PM	#7
chmercer BANNED Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: texas! Age: 39 Posts: 3,288 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i resealed one of mine when i took it apart to paint it. otherwise the other 3 have never been touched. theyre probably at least 5 years old.

02-25-2006, 12:48 AM	#8
studio Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 103 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	10 to 15 years that what ive heard but just look for cut or holes in the seal. if there is any then you need to worrie.