I recently had a set of 16" rims sandblasted and powder coated and installed brand new BFG All Terrains, 235/85-16. I had bought these two-part (rivited) rims in England and they were brush painted green so I think they may have come off a military Land Rover. They have now been completely cleaned and all surfaces are in good shape. The rims have a large valve stem hole so the tire shop installed tubes in the tires. I asked the shop to also use some tape in the inside of the rim to cover the rivets and act like a bicycle rim strip to make sure the rivets don't abrade the tube. But with all of this, I have now had 3 flat tires in the past month. With the second flat we looked closely at the tube and found a very small puncture on the inside of the tube, but could not find anything on the rim to cause the puncture. Another interesting fact but I think a coincidence is that all of the flats have been on the front left position (3 flats, two different wheel/tires and all 3 with the tire on the front-left). I suppose it could be possible that the installers are pinching the tube on installation, but I think they are being very careful not two. Another potential issue might be that the tube valve stem does not fit the valve stem hole exactly, they are a little small and do not fit tight in the hole. I have not taken the third tube out yet because I wanted to get some idea of what is going on before going back to the shop.
My questions are: Anybody have a similar problem? Anyone know where I can buy the correct fitting tube with the correct size valve stem? Any reason why front left would be more succeptable to a flat?
Thanks for any help.
My questions are: Anybody have a similar problem? Anyone know where I can buy the correct fitting tube with the correct size valve stem? Any reason why front left would be more succeptable to a flat?
Thanks for any help.
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