Corroded rims?

[techs]

I had a slow leak in one of my tires so I went to the local tire place to have it fixed. They told me, and showed me, that there was corrosion where the tire meets the rim. Said they would use a wire brush to clean it and apply bead sealer. They said it would only last a few months and that I would need new rims.
I have never had this type of problem before. Do I really need new rims?
Thanks.

 

[Vette73]

Rims? Factory or aftermarket? Type? Year/make/model???

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Rims? Factory or aftermarket? Type? Year/make/model???

It's a 1999 Ford Explorer with the factory rims.

 

[Ksyder]

I really doubt you need new rims. It would be better if they took a grinder and polished the whole inside of the rim and then applied bead sealer. I suppose using a wire brush would be a temporary fix because it really doesn't properly remove all of the corrosion.

I had some tires put on and I had to take it to them 2 times to get it done right when one of the tires was leaking around the rim.

 

[rh71]

I have what I believe they call oxidation where the alloys get white-ish and dark spots form after many years. No structural problems as far as I can tell. I wonder if that's the same thing. Is it actually corroding through?

 

[Ksyder]

I consider that corroding because it is degrading your rims. As to whether that is technically "corrosion," probably not.

Anyways I'd think they could grind that type of thing down. I've done it lots of times back when I worked at a garage.

 

[LTC8K6]

If they are corroded to the point of pitting, then you probably need new rims.

Too much road salt? Do you rinse the salt off?

 

[bruceb]

It depends. If they are steel type of rim, then yes, they can rust out and eventually fail. If it is a mag or aluminum wheel, a crack will cause a leak and will require a new rim. That happened on my car about 2 mos ago for a cost of $275 for 1 rim.