Wheel gasket help?

[acme66]

Lost a tire due to internal cracks, headed to Boyce and bought 4 very new 14.00-20 XZLs. While I was there I picked up four 1/4 inner o rings. When I pulled one of my wheels apart there was a 3/8 o ring in a completely different configuration. A big groove and the face plate that slipped over and past the o ring rather than butting up against it. Wondering if my ring was swollen I tried it with the new 1/4 and it would not hold air. I then tried it with the stretched original and got it to hold once to about 40psi but then it let go and I never got it to hold again. Getting desperate I loaded it into the truck and took it to an ag tire store that dealt with tires like these. They convinced me to skip the o ring and tube it since the tire said tubes were ok. I didn't like the idea but hey these guys were the tire experts not me right? Well you know how that worked out, it lasted less than 40 miles. They want to try the tube again, saying it might have been put in wrong, I am not sold on the idea and would like to try it with a larger o ring but I am not sure where to get one or what to ask for. Are there several sizes of O rings out there? Does anyone run tubes? I have charters on the truck tomorrow and due to some massive unforeseen bills the loss of one or several days is very hard on us. I know now that I need to pick up a second spare but right now I am considering running the truck without a spare and rolling the dice. Is there someone willing to overnight a thicker o ring (if such a thing exists) or should I let the store try and tube it again? I would paypal money. If you have one write me at acme66@yahoo.com with the price.

Also the XZLs are dang near new, it went down and came off the bead when I was at 10mph. I had to back up about 15 yards a crawl to get to a spot to change it. There are no visible signs of damage to the tire. Is it a write off? I sure hope not I paid $350 for that tire not 4 days ago.


Seeking enlightened opinions.

Ken

 

[Suprman]

There are a few versions of the 5-ton rims and I have seen 3 different o-rings. I only use the super thick ones no matter what style rim. The different rims have different numbers of bolts holding the 2 pieces together and the seal spot where the o-ring sits is different. You have to clean off any rust and prime it smooth for a good seal. I throw in some sealant glue for good measure although others will advise against it. I believe some members may have thick o-rings. I get mine from oshkosh equipment and have always had good luck with them.

 

[acme66]

Do you know the size of the thick o ring so that I can call the ag place in the morning and see if they have any? I have been thinking about it and they didn't charge me for a boot. Unless that was just part of the price of the tube having no boot in that tire would doom it with a two piece rim. I would like to see if I can get them to put it back together with the ring rather than letting them try another tube.

Ken

PS Are they the 20 inch 5/16 rings you are using or do you use even larger?

 

[gimpyrobb]

It was designed to use an O-ring, thats what you should use. There are some rims that use a 3/8 O-ring.

 

[Suprman]

It needs the o ring and the beadlock. Call and order the thickest o ring for the 5 ton rim application.

 

[acme66]

Well since I couldn't get an o ring to seal I tried something off the wall and it worked. All I could source localy for a larger ring was a 5/16 (mine were 1/4) and it still leaked. No one had the 3/8 here and since I lose $200-$300 a day or more with the truck parked I followed the never give up never surrender motto and got creative. These were not the type of rims that sandwich the o ring near the top but rather where the o ring slips between the two halves as they come together. Forgive me if I don't know the proper term and for not taking pictures, I was preoccupied. There was a lot of pitting on the big half and it just would not seal. I went to the hardware store and picked up a 20 inch bicycle inner tube. After cutting the valve stem out leaving as small a hole as possible I layed that in the large pitted groove and rolled the rubber o ring on top of it. Basically I was making a thicker o ring using the bicycle tube. If you have never seen the inside of a rim like this it might not make sense what I did but if you have you will know. I gave it a 1 in 5 chance of holding and figured if this didn't work we were going to pack it in for the season. I'll be danged if it didn't work fantastic. Blew me away. Anyway if you are cursed with this style of of rim and they are all pitted and nasty... well the 20 inch tube was $7. Compared with the money I had already spent letting the professionals at the tire place fight it, it was $7 well spent. I see no reason why it wouldn't be any more or less permanent that finding the 3/8ths o ring, the tube is made out of the same stuff as the o rings I picked up for the purpose. Still a 3/8ths silicone would be better in my mind but the truck was back on the road by the afternoon and we pulled in $120 on the last run of the day. $7 well spent. Just an idea for the emergency tool box.

Ken

 

[gimpyrobb]

Well now that you know what is needed, might as well order some of the right O-rings to have on hand for next time. Also I did not se it mentioned, get yourself some tire lube. When putting these rims and tires back together, it helps a BUNCH!

 

[CPDOG]

suprman

I have just separated my m923/a2 rim and I have the 1/4" O-ring. but I received in 2 O-rings that are 3/8" in cross section. in a comment above you said you only use the thick ones no matter what version of the rim. did you have any issues using the thick one? IE: having it get pinched in half or squeeze out and cause another leak.
if not I am going to use these.



V/r

 

[Special T]

Tubes dont tend to work very well because the stem and the hole in the wheel do not line up very well. What happens is the torque on tire and tubeeither chaffes or tears a small hole where the vavle stem is causing a flat, or worse running low and blowing up the tire. O rings are cheep! Buy several spares. If you dont have tire lube most liquid soaps will work in a pinch. What your trying to do is lube the rubber up so that will compress and/or flow with out tearing the o-ring. If your wheel is badly pitted make sure to wire wheel it good... On heavy equiptment i have seen guys wire wheel and clean the o ring grouve. They then use JB weld and smear it to fillin all the big pits to make it easier for the O ring to seal up the tire. Another option is a layer of RTV to fill the pitting and as a benifit it will help hold the O-Ring in place. I WOULD ONLY USE THE RTV ON ONE SIDE! You would have a heck of a time getting it appart if you put it all over.