4x4ing Tyres slow leak

crtx

Member
Hi Guys,

Every time i head out 4x4 and let the tyres down to around 20-22PSI on 33's when i get back and air them up i always end up with a flat or slow leak! The leak is always in between the rim and tyre bead its getting very fustrating. I normally run around 37PSI on the road.

Mud's getting in there

Is there anything i can do or any solution to this? Taking the tyre down to the shop everytime and swapping to my spare is a pain not only costly also.
 

Walkabout

Moderator
If you are running the BGF mud terrains with the rim protector/savers then this seems to be a common problem.
 

frosty

4x4 Earth Contributer
It's a common thing, beleive me. I had mine set at 25 psi last weekend and still got mud on the bead. If you get it before it gets to hard, it's easy. Pop the bead off (remove the valve first) with a hi lift in your tow bar receiver then use a screwdriver and a rag to scrape the gump out. Pump the tyre up. Every few times, you may need a little thinner to clean the bead on the tyre. It usually only happens in thick clay. That's the worst offender.
 

cptmud

New Member
the joys of 4wding, This will happen, internal beadlocks may help, but cant garrentee it as i havnt tried them yet
 

jack48

Active Member
It's a common thing, beleive me. I had mine set at 25 psi last weekend and still got mud on the bead. If you get it before it gets to hard, it's easy. Pop the bead off (remove the valve first) with a hi lift in your tow bar receiver then use a screwdriver and a rag to scrape the gump out. Pump the tyre up. Every few times, you may need a little thinner to clean the bead on the tyre. It usually only happens in thick clay. That's the worst offender.

Don't use thinners, only use Buff Sole for cleaning tyres that have grit on them, just put it on a rag and clean it off, the tyre chalk sticks used in the tyre industry for marking tyres is excellent for sealing leaky beads, providing both are clean before applying it. Can't think of the brand but have them in the workshop
Make sure the rim isn't bent, if it's the same one that goes down.
 

drval

Member
although mud in the bead is your problem, i once had a tyre with a slow leek due to a loose tyre valve and deflating it and inflating would aggrevate it, nipped it up with a valve tool and no more leek. just thought you might want to know to check the valves. :)
 

frosty

4x4 Earth Contributer
All tyres will do it. BFG had a genius idea (was good idea at the time) to put a guard on the bead of the tyre. It seems to channel mud especially well into the bead. So at the moment, they do it best. BUT,, They still have the best sidewall in the business.

Last Monday I used a rag damp in thinners. Cleaned all the crap off beautifully. Looked and felt like new. Been doing it for years. Seals tighter than a frogs bum. Don't do it every week or when the tyre comes off. Every now and again WON'T hurt it. Softens the rubber edge if anything.


Bridgestone do it on scungy tires all the time????
 

jack48

Active Member
All tyres will do it. BFG had a genius idea (was good idea at the time) to put a guard on the bead of the tyre. It seems to channel mud especially well into the bead. So at the moment, they do it best. BUT,, They still have the best sidewall in the business.

Last Monday I used a rag damp in thinners. Cleaned all the crap off beautifully. Looked and felt like new. Been doing it for years. Seals tighter than a frogs bum. Don't do it every week or when the tyre comes off. Every now and again WON'T hurt it. Softens the rubber edge if anything.


Bridgestone do it on scungy tires all the time????

You said it !!!!!! Softens the rubber!! That's why you roll tyres off rims.
The strongest part of the tyre carcass is the bead area and then the apex. just above the bead, lower part of sidewall. The raised area you are talking about where it sits close to the rim is designed to be a rim protector not a mud deflector.
If anything if you get sh!t in there it can't come out and works it's way down with tyre and sidewall flex especially at low psi, hope this helps, use Buff Sole for cleaning tyres/tubes not f**cking thinners.
 

frosty

4x4 Earth Contributer
You said it !!!!!! Softens the rubber!! That's why you roll tyres off rims.
The strongest part of the tyre carcass is the bead area and then the apex. just above the bead, lower part of sidewall. The raised area you are talking about where it sits close to the rim is designed to be a rim protector not a mud deflector.
If anything if you get sh!t in there it can't come out and works it's way down with tyre and sidewall flex especially at low psi, hope this helps, use Buff Sole for cleaning tyres/tubes not f**cking thinners.

Thinners is NOT the reason I have rolled tyres. Doin dumb shit is the main reason and a bit lazy with checking useless Stauns every time I use the bloody things! I have used it maybe 5 times to get stubborn, built in scum off the bead. I use a DAMP rag, not soaking in a 44 overnight. As I said, Tyre fitters use it. And yes, most do.
 

jack48

Active Member
Remind me not to go to your tyre fitters. They are probably using buff sole it comes in 4 lt cans, or else they are to lousy to pay for it and are trying to safe money LOL You should go and ask what they use before they put a patch on a tyre or tube, that would be interesting, but if it works for you that's fine; surely you can afford the correct fluid to use, just my 2 cents worth, LMAO
 

crtx

Member
It's a common thing, beleive me. I had mine set at 25 psi last weekend and still got mud on the bead. If you get it before it gets to hard, it's easy. Pop the bead off (remove the valve first) with a hi lift in your tow bar receiver then use a screwdriver and a rag to scrape the gump out. Pump the tyre up. Every few times, you may need a little thinner to clean the bead on the tyre. It usually only happens in thick clay. That's the worst offender.

Thanks Frosty i'll give this a go any special tool needed to get the valve out? Would be good if they made a internal seal that sits in between the bead and rim! Or get beadlockers :|


Thanks for all your replies
 
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