Wheels: Service and Repair

WARNING: Wheel repairs that use welding or peening are not approved. An inner tube is not an acceptable repair for leaking wheels or tires.
If the air pressure in a tire mounted on an aluminum wheel is found to be low, carry out the following procedure before considering installation of a new wheel.

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly and inspect the wheel for structural damage. If none exists, go to Step 2. If the wheel is damaged, install a new wheel.
2. With the tire mounted on the wheel, locate the air leak using a water bath or equivalent method, and mark the location. Check the complete wheel for possible additional leaks. When the leaks are marked, dismount the tire, marking valve location on the tire for correct indexing.
3. On the tire side of the wheel, thoroughly clean the leaking area with an appropriate cleaner (Metal Surface Cleaner F4AZ-19A536-RA or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSE-M513392-A) or use sandpaper of approximately 80-grit to remove all contamination. Using the sandpaper, score the surface of the leaking area to improve adhesion of the sealer. If the valve stem is close to the area, remove it.
4. Use a clean cloth to remove all cleaner and sanding dust.

5. Note: Do not use a torch containing oxyacetylene.

Heat the prepared area with a Heat Gun or a propane torch. Apply Aluminum Wheel Repair Compound meeting Ford specification ESA-M4G280-A or equivalent over the prepared area using a liberal flow and wiping action. Repair is most effective when heat is applied to the brake side of the rim, and the sealer is melted by heat in the metal.
6. Apply only enough heat to melt the sealer, then remove the heat source. After repairing the leak, allow the wheel to cool until it can be handled safely.

7. CAUTION: Use caution when mounting the tire so as not to damage the sealer.

Index and assemble the wheel and tire. Inflate the tire to the recommended pressure as indicated on the tire pressure decal.
8. Repeat Step 2 to verify repair.
9. When the repair is completed, balance the assembly and install it on the vehicle.