The guys says my rims are bad?

[Blue94]

So my tires are 4 years old with only 20k. They look good but have some cracking in the side
wall. I have been dealing with the front tire going flat every three or four days and have been just
filling it up. I parked the car this summer and when I went to get it out three of the four tires
were flat.

I took it to Les Schwab and was told that the tires are fine and the rims are corroding away
preventing a good seal. Does that sound right? My rims don’t look that bad? the clear coat is
fading away sure but I've never heard of a rim going bad?

[svxcess]

I had a similar problem with my stock wheels. Seems the area where the rim meets the bead of the tire holds moisture and allows for some corrosion to develop. I found that out when one of my wheels was losing air.

Whenever I buy new tires, my tire shop goes over the inner surfaces of my wheels, where the tire meets the wheel, with a wire brush to remove any corrosion that develops. I haven't had any problems since.

.

[dannmarr]

There can also be a hair line crack that is very hard to see. That was my experience.

[SoCal LS-L]

I agree with the wire brush method, it worked for me every time unless the customers wheels were totally boinked.

[Blue94]

Well thanks guys, I hope the little cleaning they did will resolve the issue. I just have never
found rims that I liked better on this car than the ones that came with it.

I must admit, I started to
get a little excited thinking about new rims because I could then justify new paint. I wish the
after market would pick up the SVX, I'd love to restore mine....but with basically only Subaru
parts available at their ridiculous prices I'm afraid I'll just drive her tell she won't go anymore.

Blue