Kestas
Staff member
I dismounted and remounted a tire using my Harbor Freight tire changer. This was on my winter car so I could deal with the 20 years corrosion at the bead seat. Sandblasting and painting took care of the corrosion. But after mounting the tire and reseating the beads, I found one area on the rim with a massive air leak. Close examination shows the rim is smooth at that area, but the tire has two thin ribs (arrows) that are damaged as shown in the picture. The rest of the tire bead looks smooth.
I find it hard to believe these thin ribs are so critical to holding air. An internet search doesn't show this as a design feature on tires.
I think my only recourse is to use tire sealant, or buy a new tire.
I find it hard to believe these thin ribs are so critical to holding air. An internet search doesn't show this as a design feature on tires.
I think my only recourse is to use tire sealant, or buy a new tire.