Silastic Vs. bead leaks?? or tubes?

[mike_nofx]

Just an idea i had, the next morning after a day of 4x4ing and my tyre is flat... again!

Would running a bead of silastic in the gap between the rim and tyre (or "rim protector") help prevent getting crap in the bead?

These particular tyres are BFG AT's with the Grimace rim protector, i always get bead leaks with them. Fortunately i will be using new tyres in a couple of weeks. NOT BFG's, so hopefully no leaks.

Is there any other way to reduce bead leaks? I ran tubes in a previous 4x4, and of course, got no leaks ever.

Could tubes be the answer?

If not, is the only solution to just deal with it??

For reference, Vehicle is a 105 cruiser. Tyres are 285/75R16 BFG AT's, run at 18psi off-road. New tyres will be Maxxis Creepy Crawlers 35x12.5".

Mike

[coxy321]

Sounds like a fair idea. The only issue i can see is when the tyre bead compresses onto the rim it might squash the silicone out. The other thing is that you will have to take the weight off each wheel/tyre (jack it up) to get an even fill of silicone.

Can't hurt to try it - might pay off for the other BFG owners!

[BundyRumandCoke]

I would not run tubes. At low pressures, tubes can creep, and tear the valve stem out.

[purplebus]

I would not run tubes. At low pressures, tubes can creep, and tear the valve stem out.

xlots of times it happened to me.

[BASSYK]

silastik is ok until you need to remove a tyre from the rium then it can get really messy.

i found it helped a little however it no miracle bead lock.

tubes can be good however as mentioned they can spin on the rim.

can be an easy fix if you carry a few tubeless valves.

[coxy321]

silastik is ok until you need to remove a tyre from the rium then it can get really messy.

i found it helped a little however it no miracle bead lock.

tubes can be good however as mentioned they can spin on the rim.

can be an easy fix if you carry a few tubeless valves.

Just to clarify, he wants to use silicone to fill the gap between the rim and the BFG "rim protector" - he doesn't want to glue the tyre/bead onto the rim with silicone.

[swamp]

Any goo of any type will seal up a leaky bead and thats about all.
I tried it many times with lots of commercial products and always the same result crap in the bead.
Tubes work very well but as stated the tyre can spin, although I have run
Simex tubes with 8psi in comps with no problem.

[matto]

I have siliconed my tyres about 5 months ago and i havent had mud in the bead yet, its a good idea and costs f-all. i constantly had mud in the bead everytime i went 4bing prior to doing this.

[cooki_monsta]

yep another vote for silicon, use it all the time to seal my beadlocks works a treat

[A.R.T Racing]

I ran standard cheap tubes in my V8 MQ for over 6 years doing winch challenges etc with Silverstone tyres and only ever had 1 flat tyre. Tubes have my vote!

I could never work out why other cars didn't do it, alot cheaper then bead locks and solved any tyre probs for me. But i did have to strengthen the outer edge of the rims cause i wrecked a set from rubbing on rocks.

[steel]

Marine Sikaflex,, the black stuff.