Tucker442

I bought my son an 02 Alero in 04, what a pain the wheels have been, anytime I install tires and balance them with mag wheel or regular weights the tires leak at the weight, I have put 3 sets of tires on this car and they all do the same thing now the only way I can balance them is to use the stick on weights on the inside of the wheel, does anybody else have this same problem or is it just me.Silver Wheels not chrome not steel

Redog

No I never had this probelm with the stock wheels.

The only time I had a problem with the wheels was when I hit a pothole and cracked one of the wheels. That was back in 2001 and it became a problem in 2003, so I fixed the probelm by buying a new set of wheels.

$550 for new wheels or $405 for one wheel from the dealership. I think you know why I made that choice

I have a pair of 6 spoke gray wheels I used to use for racing only. No problems with them either

Tucker442

I remember a tech letter when working at the Olds dealer that those wheels would make noise at slow speeds they told us to break down the wheel, put talcum or baby power between the rubber and the rim then reinflate them, if we didn't move the tire on the rim we didn't have to rebalance them but they would make this silly rubbing noise at slow speeds like in a parking lot if you had the windows open you could hear it. I had a pot hole wheel issue also found a used wheel on eBay for 100 with the center cap

Redog

I never heard anything like that.

That "rubbing" noise would be "bad hub" related, I would think since I've heard of a lot of people having hub problems on newer GM cars and trucks

Besides, Talcum powder rots rubber quickly.

Tucker442

Well someone should told Oldsmobile that, it was with one of the suspension options with the goodyear tires only I think the size was 225 50 16

copper128

Take the tires off and wire wheel the bead seat area on the rims. If they're leaking they're most likely corroded and rough in that area. All of mine (2001 16" aluminum) leaked slowly until I did that. Using the stick-on weights is fine, that's the way new cars come from the factory now. The bigger diameter wheels are often "flangeless" meaning they're smooth on the rim edge and can't take a traditional clip-on balance weight.

Tucker442

Hi Copper, I do that every time I replace the tires, have had issues over the years with all kind of wheels that get built up rubber on it causing a leak

Lady72nRob71

I was told by the tire shop that alloy wheels over 12 years old will corrode around the bead seal area and need either sanding or extra sealant. My caddy has that problem now and the extra sealer on the bead helps. They said mercedes has a big issue with this.
Not sure if this is your prob, but somrthing to think about.

Redog

That's the size of the top of the line Alero. I had those tires, BTW the GoodYears from the factory sucked. Wore out in less than 20,000 miles