Bead leaks

[tbone9]

Last year I mounted new 21" goodyears to run with tracks and no matter what I do I can't get the beads sealed. The rims are like new and I used a lot of bead sealer both times I reseated them and they stil have small leaks. I noticed the main ingredient in the sealer is toluene which softens rubber. So it should work. With 6 psi in these tires (required to run tracks) there's not much flex in the sidewalls. My latest plan is with tracks off to run the tires damn near flat and let the beads "work in". Outside of slime and tubes does anyone have any other tricks I could try?

[Mike]

What did you use for bead sealer, Permatex? Everyone seems to have good luck with that. When the tires leak, can you see the air seeping out with soapy water or is it more of a gradual leak? And is this on k-lock wheels or standard wheels?

[philipatmaxfour]

Last year I mounted new 21" goodyears to run with tracks and no matter what I do I can't get the beads sealed. The rims are like new and I used a lot of bead sealer both times I reseated them and they stil have small leaks. I noticed the main ingredient in the sealer is toluene which softens rubber. So it should work. With 6 psi in these tires (required to run tracks) there's not much flex in the sidewalls. My latest plan is with tracks off to run the tires damn near flat and let the beads "work in". Outside of slime and tubes does anyone have any other tricks I could try?

I am curious tbone, how much air did you use to set the beads? I hope that you used a few more pounds than recommended. Maybe even a bit more with a long remote hose and a quick fit in your hand. running them real soft for a while as you said sounds safer.

[tbone9]

What did you use for bead sealer, Permatex? Everyone seems to have good luck with that. When the tires leak, can you see the air seeping out with soapy water or is it more of a gradual leak? And is this on k-lock wheels or standard wheels?

They're on k locks and you can see bubbles with soap water. K locks require a lot of air to seat the bead as you know. Might have to try permeatex. I used regular bead sealer for tires. Can't remember the name brand

[Sparx]

Why not use tubes? I've had amazing results with tubes on my Argo and other off-road machines. Never have I torn a valve stem off and I run them as low as 2psi as well.

[tbone9]

With the k locks I don't think tubes would be an issue but not willing to take the chance. A torn off valve stem could be catastrophic with tracks. Especially in the winter when I'm miles out on a lake with all my fishin gear. Besides I'm running flush mount valve stems to prevent ice from tearing off a stem.

[ARGOJIM]

If they are new tires I generally rip the little nubs off at the bead area, though they should clear the rim often they are just long enough to create a leak if they get stuck between the bead and rim. You may want to try to unseat the leaking section and using wd40 clean all of the sealer off that bead, if reseated and reapplied the bead sealer can harden and ball on either the tire or the rim and create a leak, if you get it cleaned off maybe try no sealer.
If you ripped or nicked a bead mounting them this could all be moot.

[tbone9]

Thanks Jim. I'll give that a try.

[msafi65]

I put at least 12 oz of sealer in all my tires. I prefer a product made by Texas Refinry Corp. the mines use it in all the big tires and buy it in 55 gallon drums. It will clean up with water and doesn't freeze solid. Stops the head leaks better than bead sealer. I have one wheel on my max that was pretty bad rusty. Had to break down and set the head with an industrial sealer. Scotch 808 I believe. It's designed to adhere and seal rubber to metal. Haven't added air to that one in over a year now.

[tbone9]

Thanks, I'll check it out.