Identify this wheel; help 3piece air leak.

[Hendog]

I bought this 911 about 11mos ago and have enjoyed driving it. I first had it serviced then put on new rubber a little later. I don't know much about wheels, but I think these are 3 piece (or maybe 2 piece?). For one thing, the left front wheel is quite stained and the others are beginning to stain. Secondly, the right rear wheel is leaking air around some of the bolts.

I've been reading up on wheel polishing on this board, but without knowing what I have makes it difficult to determine what to do. Can anyone identify this wheel? I've taken pics of the inside of each spoke as well as a full wheel shot and included them below.

As for the leaking wheel: my wrench confirmed the bolts are leaking and demonstrated it to me via bubbles. I lose about a pound every two days. Can I take the wheel apart, clean it and put it back together to solve the leak? Is there a gasket to these "multi-piece" wheels?

[RickM]

Some moduilar wheels use a gasket and some don't. I personally leave the disassembly and reassembly of wheels to a pro. I believe my bolts were replaced with "stretch" bolts that are to be used only once. Some may dispute this.
In any case a good wheel guy can probably restore to like new condition. Al Reed is capable of this type of work.

[Hendog]

Thanks Rick. You might be right about leaving it to the pros. I'll have to search around here for someone reputable; Al Reed is a little ways away from me. I did however see some of his work in another post; very nice work!

[ttweed]

I have fixed modular wheels leaks without disassembling the wheel. Most do not use a gasket, just silicon sealer in the joint. Remove the tire, cut out all old sealer in the joint with a razor knife. Use a wire wheel to remove the remainder as deep as possible and as clean as possible. Wipe down with acetone to remove any oily residue and apply a new bead of aluminized silicon sealer. Let dry for several days and remount tire. The air pressure pushes the sealant bead into the split, so it seals very well.

TT

[Hendog]

I think I'd be in over my head if I tried to fix this myself. I have no means to remove and install a tire on a rim. But at least I have a possible solution now: Thanks TT! My wrench really wasn't very helpful: he just said it would too costly to fix and I might be better off buying new wheels (?!!).
He did however suggest using a can of "instant patch", or whatever you call it, that you spray into the wheel via the valve stem. I personally feel this would leave a mess inside the wheel and unbalance it. Any thoughts on this?

[89turbocabmike]

Don't go the "instant patch" way. Take the wheel to a tire place that works with custom wheels and have them pull the tire off. I had this done for $10. Fix it as tom suggested and then have the tire remounted. You can buy the silicone at any home-improvement/hardware store. Just make sure you get a high quality one designed to work on aluminum.

[Hendog]

Sounds like a plan.

[rfuerst911sc]

After you get this rim fixed I would look for another mechanic !! I have never heard a mechanic suggest "fix a flat" in a can as a solution to a leaking rim or tire,just my 2 cents.

[ttweed]

Originally posted by rfuerst911sc
After you get this rim fixed I would look for another mechanic !! I have never heard a mechanic suggest "fix a flat" in a can as a solution to a leaking rim or tire,just my 2 cents.

Absolutely! Have you ever seen the inside of an alloy wheel that has had this goop sprayed in and left for a long time? It is very corrosive stuff, and just eats away at the aluminum. I would never use it, or if I did, I would have the tire dismounted ASAP and patched properly, and the wheel cleaned up thoroughly. I saw a Fuchs wheel once at my tire shop that had been treated this way and it was a MESS on the inside!

TT

[Hendog]

Thanks muchly for the input guys! This mechanic is very good; he's restored many a car to concours; races his own cars; has multiple credentials; but for some reason we've never hit it off. The mutual friends who introduced us (before owning my Pcar) is the reason: We don't speak to each other anymore for some silly thing. It was after that fallout with the "mutuals" that I bought my Porsche and went to this mechanic. I thought he might be professional and let the differences between "others" stay at that. Another mechanic I will find. Nuf said on that matter...

Can anyone identify the wheel? I'd like to know what it's composition is so that I can clean/polish it properly.

[TRE Cup]

We've replaced half a dozen fuchs wheels over the years where the owners had used "instant patch " products. NEVER ever use this stuff!! it eats the aluminum from inside the rim and weakens it. The wheels were useless after this treatment- other than making wall clocks, coffee tables, and garden hose reels