johnny133
08-20-04, 11:24 AM
Gentlemen,
I have owned my 97 SLS for about a month. When my mechanic and I examined the car before buying, we noticed a bent rim on the front right. The inner edge is bent in a little bit in one place. The "flat spot" is about 3 inches long. He told me a "Wheel and Rim" guy comes around from time to time who can straighten a bent rim. I didn't think it was leaking until this morning I noticed the tire was way down. I had enough compressed air in a storage tank to re-inflate the tire to 34lbs.
I took the wheel off to look for a nail or something but didn't find one. Then I lay the wheel down and ran some water on the area of the tire near the bent place on the rim. There were bubbles, one every second or two coming from the middle of the bent place. I don't know if the leak has always been at this rate or if it's constant or what. I seem to recall checking that tire recently and it was fully inflated, but maybe I didn't. I will be checking constantly now and adding air when necessary
Now that I know it's leaking, I need to do something about it.
First, how can I tell if my wheel is steel or aluminum? I don't see three letters stamped near the valve stem. I also don't see letters in the center near the lugs. That's all I can find in the manual. They appear to be factory Cadillac wheels, 9 "spokes" and a Cadillac emblem on the "hubcap" in the center. At a first glance, they look like aluminum to me.
Second, depending on whether it's steel or aluminum, should I try to get it repaired or should I replace it? The factory manual says not to attempt repairs on an aluminum wheel. What should I expect to pay for a wheel and where should I be looking?
Any input would be appreciated.
I have owned my 97 SLS for about a month. When my mechanic and I examined the car before buying, we noticed a bent rim on the front right. The inner edge is bent in a little bit in one place. The "flat spot" is about 3 inches long. He told me a "Wheel and Rim" guy comes around from time to time who can straighten a bent rim. I didn't think it was leaking until this morning I noticed the tire was way down. I had enough compressed air in a storage tank to re-inflate the tire to 34lbs.
I took the wheel off to look for a nail or something but didn't find one. Then I lay the wheel down and ran some water on the area of the tire near the bent place on the rim. There were bubbles, one every second or two coming from the middle of the bent place. I don't know if the leak has always been at this rate or if it's constant or what. I seem to recall checking that tire recently and it was fully inflated, but maybe I didn't. I will be checking constantly now and adding air when necessary
Now that I know it's leaking, I need to do something about it.
First, how can I tell if my wheel is steel or aluminum? I don't see three letters stamped near the valve stem. I also don't see letters in the center near the lugs. That's all I can find in the manual. They appear to be factory Cadillac wheels, 9 "spokes" and a Cadillac emblem on the "hubcap" in the center. At a first glance, they look like aluminum to me.
Second, depending on whether it's steel or aluminum, should I try to get it repaired or should I replace it? The factory manual says not to attempt repairs on an aluminum wheel. What should I expect to pay for a wheel and where should I be looking?
Any input would be appreciated.