Having been reading up, its seems there are a few guys who need their wheels refurbishing. OK if you single part rims but a problem if you have 3 piece split rims.

My wheels are a very rare set of 18" Gewalt 3 peice split rims. I found that i was losing air from one of my rims, after getting the tyre checked it was leaking from the joint between rims.

1. Remove all the securing bolts, mine were 10mm nuts and 9mm torx style bolts. Total of 34 bolts and 34 nuts each wheel, so 4 x wheels= 136 bolts to undo.

2. Separate the outer wheel face from the rim. i did this using a rubber mallet from the back.

3. Now split the rims, mine was held together with a clear silicone, and was clear that it had perished over time. I used a stanley knife and sliced the whole way round, then prise them apart. Cleaned the off stuff off with the blade and some silicone remover, then some wet and dry to get a clean smooth surface.

4. Using some black all weather silicone, place a bead on both faces of the rim about 5mm on each, try not to get in the holes for the bolts as you will need to keep these clear. I didnt put the wheel face on yet, but using a few bolts clamp the rims back together and do up tight.

5. Some of the silicone will have no doubt squashed out, smooth of the outer rim (would be inside the tyre) and also the bolt holes, i used an ear bud to remove the excess, then leave over night to dry.

6. Once its full cured, tidy it all up with a stanley blade, and check for any gaps, remove the bolts that you used to clamp together.

7. Most of the nuts and bolts were rusty, so to clean these up, i put the bolts in a bucket with Brick cleaner (acid) and left for 20 mins. Same with the bolts but only for 5 mins as they are hard chrome. Then put them all in a soak of boiling water to clean, then dry them. Quick spray with some ptfe spray to seal.

7. Replace the outer wheel face, and line it all up. I used the bolt holes like a clock dial,so if say 12 o'clock was perfect, then 6 would be too. then same with 9 and 3.

8. i then put all nuts and bolts back on, but only loose to start with. Then tighten them up doing opposite sides at a time and working round the rim. same as you would do wheels nuts. this ensures all are tightend and the wheel face sits flat on the rim.

 

Whilst doing this i tidied up the face, sanded, and repainted.

Wheels were black and pitted before, but now nice and shiny silver.

Bit of a time consuming job, but it does give you knowledge how 3 piece slit rims are made and why alot of places wont touch them. The rims are not perfect but when money is better i will remove them again, get them sand blasted and power coated.

Hope this helps

Stu

Thanks, you have made it look quite simple. Had a quote from a tyre fitter, £75.00 per wheel. I've been pumping mine up every day.