TUBES:

[Stewart G Griffin]

Do you know of any retailers (online or off) where i can get some good tubes?   Pepboys, Advance and China/Wal mart only carry 16".

[frogman68]

http://www.innertubes.net/catalog/

[Stewart G Griffin]

PT.2

1) i don't really trust (know) that place very well, so i'm electing (perhaps erroneously) not to buy from them.
Shockingly, but perhaps not suprisingly, wal-mart, advance, and pepboys do not stock anything but 16" tubes anymore.   Plus, i can't really find any retailers on the net;  Now that's bad.   Could the day of tubes be over?  Say it isn't so.


2)The problem is a very slow leak. So, i've decided to try bead sealer (liquid).  There is lots of crud on the rim of the wheel.  What can/should i use to get it off?  Note: the wheel is aluminum.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Pt.3

OK, nevermind:
http://www.victorautomotive.net/pages/mg.html

i found out i can order these in 14" size at Advance auto;  Just because they are not on the shelf does not mean they don't make them anymore.

[VileZambonie]

Tubes in a tubeless tire are illegal. If the bead isn't sealing clean the wheel thorougly with a wire brush or a 3m bristle disc. Clean the bead area of the tire. If needed use bead sealer.

[frogman68]

Tubes in a tubeless tire are illegal. If the bead isn't sealing clean the wheel thorougly with a wire brush or a 3m bristle disc. Clean the bead area of the tire. If needed use bead sealer.

Wow thanks for that info Ville I never knew that.

How can a reputable company (Auto parts stores walmart etc) sell them ? Seems to me somebody would of sued em for this

[choptop]

Tubes in a tubeless tire are illegal. If the bead isn't sealing clean the wheel thorougly with a wire brush or a 3m bristle disc. Clean the bead area of the tire. If needed use bead sealer.

Wow thanks for that info Ville I never knew that.

How can a reputable company (Auto parts stores walmart etc) sell them ? Seems to me somebody would of sued em for this

Illegal for on-highway probably, offroad use only prob ok. I agree w/ Vile, break it down and clean the bead or use bead sealer.

[VileZambonie]

As a licensed repair facility I cannot tube any tubeless tire. The liability is HUGE

[Stewart G Griffin]

OK, i'm not saying i don't believe you, but where?  In your state only?

And if so, why?

i've been using tubes for about 15 yrs with no problems.  To me, it's the simpliest way to solve a slow leak problem.

[zieg85]

I am not saying there isn't a law on the books somewhere but I did a google search and couldn't find any?  I used to work in a tire shop and although not a routine fix we did install tubes when needed.  I do remember the tubes were special for radial tires and you had to buff the inside of the tires if they were rough.  Course that was many years ago. 

[Dragon]

Tubes in a tubeless tire are illegal. If the bead isn't sealing clean the wheel thorougly with a wire brush or a 3m bristle disc. Clean the bead area of the tire. If needed use bead sealer.

Wow thanks for that info Ville I never knew that.

How can a reputable company (Auto parts stores walmart etc) sell them ? Seems to me somebody would of sued em for this

Their packaging usually states that they are meant for bicycles, vintage motorcycles,small engine vehicles(riding mowers/etc), or equpitment trailers, and etc, but not for use on passenger cars/trucks of any type.....  Also alot of the Major Parts Stores will carry certain things that Technically Illegal, as they think you would be smart enough to check your local laws before using...  The Parts Store that I used to work for,  used to sell the Custom Clear Tail Lights and HID Diamond Whites that were illegal in my State, but they got away with selling them for a few years, as they were legal in other States that they had Stores(Cali) & their Corperate Office(Arizona)...   They only stop selling them, when the Light Manufacturers were being sued, and the Distributors/Retailers were fined....

[Stewart G Griffin]

Well, i'm still doing research on the subject, (why are my questions always so complicated?) and what little i'm finding does not appear to be too positive in terms of using tubes in tubeless applications.  Most people say it's a bad idea---rapid deflation being a main reason.
i may very well end up trying bead sealer which i was able to find in stock at the local napa store.


However:
1) As stated before, i have been using tubes in tubeless applications for around 15 years with great success.

2) Smokey Yunick said it was ok. This is probably my strongest argument.  In fact, this is where i first got the idea to use tubes to cure slow leak and other problems.

3) The Victor brand tubes i use specifically say they are for passenger car radial tires.

i will keep you posted.

[bigkountry]

Good in demo derby or farm use is the only thing allowed around here as far as I know.

[bmaier]

Tubes in a tubeless tire are illegal. If the bead isn't sealing clean the wheel thorougly with a wire brush or a 3m bristle disc. Clean the bead area of the tire. If needed use bead sealer.

+1 for what Vile said, just make sure the bead on both the tire and rim are clean and use the bead sealer. i work at a tire shop and thats what we do with bead leaks and works 99% of the time.

also, vile, where did you find out it's illegal to tube a tubeless tire? i've worked in a tire shop for the past 3 years and have never been told it was illegal. i've been told it's not really a good thing for passenger tires and i won't do it either but we tube tractor, implement, loader, etc tires that have "tubeless" stamped on them. don't get me wrong i'm not arguing you, i've just never heard it was illegal. is it just in some states? certain tires?

[VileZambonie]

You would have to check with your local state and gov to find out if there are actual fines or criminal charges for such repairs in your area but it's pretty much common sense. A TUBELESS tire should not be repaired with a TUBE. If a puncture can't be repaired by a patch or small plug it should be replaced. Anyone who tries to do their customer a favor and save them a few dollars by throwing a tube in a tubeless tire is just asking to be sued. Again I'm not sure of specific laws and penalties but you can check with NHTSA, DOT, DMV etc to find out from them. For your own personal use I doubt anyone would come out and arrest you for it However as an installer everyone should know better.