Bead Leaks

[nU7OuxIx]

I have a problem where I'll air down to about 20 psi, hit something that will squish the tire in, have dirt and sand get stuck between the tire and wheel, and cause a small leak. That causes me to have to take the tire in, get it dismounted, cleaned, and remounted. Only once did I get grit in it where I actually had to change the tire on the trail. Most of the time, I'll be able to get back home and then take it in.

I'm trying to prevent this from happening. I *think* beadlocks would help, but I don't want the hassle and legality of using them. I've seen the Method 709-HD's with the bead grip technology that I'm thinking about.

Would the bead grip technology resolve this issue, or am I going to still have it because the grips only prevent the tire from coming off? For reference, I have the xtreme 35 tire package.

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[6.2Blazer]

I know exactly what you are talking about. Have dealt with this exact issue for years on multiple off-road vehicles. While I don't have any first hand experience with the bead grip wheels, I don't see how they would prevent the issue with getting dirt stuck in the bead and causing a small leak.
I have ran beadlocks and non-beadlocks, and can say that beadlocks generally do not have as much as an issue with this.

 

[nU7OuxIx]

Thanks, I'm glad I'm not crazy being the only one experiencing it.

I don't know if others just deal with the small leaks or if it's just something I'm doing wrong. I'm just getting tired of taking the tire off, take it in, and have them fix it.

It's tough because it's not like the bead totally comes off the wheel....it just gets grit in there that prevents it from fully sealing.

 

[flick2614]

Is the leak at a consistent spot on the wheel? Thinking you may have a small dent or big scratch unseating the bead as that's an odd thing to randomly happen.

That being said Method Bead Grip Wheels have served me well on multiple vehicles. Never unseated a bed and have aired down to as low as 10psi on them.

 

[cj7ox]

There's also this bead lock option from Icon. I've heard and read good things about them, and they are DOT legal.

https://iconvehicledynamics.com/pro...MI1a6_pqT6kgMV1DHUAR3LYTidEAQYBiABEgINh_D_BwE

 

[Ratbert]

Is there something unusual about the dirt / sand you're wheeling in? Is the issue isolated to a single wheel (following up on what @flick2614 mentioned).

Just wondering since I've never had that issue.

 

[nU7OuxIx]

Is there something unusual about the dirt / sand you're wheeling in? Is the issue isolated to a single wheel (following up on what @flick2614 mentioned).

Just wondering since I've never had that issue.

Not that I know of. It's just dirt/sand in the midwest. The trails aren't rock gardens, it's usually mud pits, or tree roots/logs.

This happened on my 2021 as well. It seemed like each factory mounted wheel went through this. I'lI air down, get crud in there, then a slow leak forms. After I get it cleaned out, it seems like it doesn't happen again.

I don't know if the factory just does a bad job mounting tires, or if the tire place uses some special sealant/lube. I'm looking to see what I'm doing wrong and if beadgrips are right for me. Since the tire doesn't come off, I kind of feel like it would be a waste of money.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I would think that you'll cut the odds in half by using bead locks. The inner bead is still a standard bead.

There are double bead locks, which are twice the work of most bead locks and there are wheels like Hutchinson wheels with a split rim and a spacer that pushes/holds the beads on both.

I'm using Icon Interlok wheels with bolts that go in and protrude behind the bead. I don't think they would hold as well as bead lock rings, in terms of preventing dirt from getting in there.

For the trail, or even home, you should look into a beadbuster. Amazon.com : beadbuster

 

[nU7OuxIx]

For the trail, or even home, you should look into a beadbuster. Amazon.com : beadbuster

I haven't seen these, thank you. I'm going to have to do some research. I'm not sure how it works or if a viair would be able to pop the bead back on. If it'll fix it, then I'll be happy.

THank you!

 

[nU7OuxIx]

For the trail, or even home, you should look into a beadbuster. Amazon.com : beadbuster

Have you tried one of these? Do you think I need to take the whole tire off the wheel or just use the buster to break the bead, clean it out, then fill it with air?

 

[Terrymo]

I am intrigued by this. I’m not an expert and everyone’s terrain is different.

Although you have removed air to get to 20psi, a lot of people here wouldn’t consider that aired down. Non bead locks being run at 10, 12 or 15 on the high end is common. Has this happened to every one of your wheels at different times? Are you getting stuck and just spinning trying to get out and that’s what is forcing debris between the tire and wheel? Do the leaks happen on the inner and outer edges of the wheels? I believe you, just trying to understand.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I haven't seen these, thank you. I'm going to have to do some research. I'm not sure how it works or if a viair would be able to pop the bead back on. If it'll fix it, then I'll be happy.

THank you!

It's a simple tool. There are videos. You still need a couple tire spoons/irons, but it's easy work as long as it's not 100F outside. I'm old and can do it with 37s.

As for re-setting the bead. No compressor has enough flow in some cases. If you play at low pressures, eventually you'll push a bead off. I recommend you learn to use starter fluid to re-set the bead. Unfortunately all the TV show hype has these idiots using about 3 or 4 times as much fluid as needed and making a scary looking spectacle...all for the show, of course. This video is me using a modest amount of fluid to seat the bead. No big fireball or loud boom. Just pop and its done. You can do it without jacking, but it takes a lot more fluid.

 

[Wabujitsu]

Thanks, I'm glad I'm not crazy being the only one experiencing it.

I don't know if others just deal with the small leaks or if it's just something I'm doing wrong. I'm just getting tired of taking the tire off, take it in, and have them fix it.

It's tough because it's not like the bead totally comes off the wheel....it just gets grit in there that prevents it from fully sealing.

Mike, is it possible you are airing-down too far? We deal with about the same thing here in FL - sand, mud, and tree roots. I never air down below 25, and many times I am running my normal street pressure of 30 - and I don’t get stuck, nor have I ever developed a similar leak.

 

[Terrymo]

It's a simple tool. There are videos. You still need a couple tire spoons/irons, but it's easy work as long as it's not 100F outside. I'm old and can do it with 37s.

As for re-setting the bead. No compressor has enough flow in some cases. If you play at low pressures, eventually you'll push a bead off. I recommend you learn to use starter fluid to re-set the bead. Unfortunately all the TV show hype has these idiots using about 3 or 4 times as much fluid as needed and making a scary looking spectacle...all for the show, of course. This video is me using a modest amount of fluid to seat the bead. No big fireball or loud boom. Just pop and its done. You can do it without jacking, but it takes a lot more fluid.

Can you explain what you’re doing at the end with the pry bar (tire spoon?) and why?
Thanks

 

[Terrymo]

Mike, is it possible you are airing-down too far? We deal with about the same thing here in FL - sand, mud, and tree roots. I never air down below 25, and many times I am running my normal street pressure of 30 - and I don’t get stuck, nor have I ever developed a similar leak.

See now this is why this topic is so interesting to me. My frame of reference is just local. Do you feel going from 30 to 25 is noticeably beneficial? I think I’m lazy enough for only 5psi I wouldn’t bother.

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