Aluminum rim welding?

Date 12-21-2004 11:35

Hello everyone, I have a 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP that has 5 spoke aluminum rims, every other day I have to add air to the drivers front. I had a shop check it for a leak and turns out the inside lip of the rim has a crack. Can I have the shop remove the tire from the rim, I'll weld it and machine it off and have the tire replaced without any trouble? Are rims heat treated? I am assuming the rim is cast, just curious if anybody else has done this before with success.

Thanks

Christopher Martin

By Lawrence (*****)

Date 12-21-2004 12:28

Chris,

There are a lot of reasons not to.

Exact identification of base metal would be difficult.

While some wheels are 6061T6, if they are welded with GTAW the heat input will cause them loose that T6 conditioning, making the wheel unservicable until proper heat treat is carried out.

Maybe a better investment would be a search for a new wheel.

http://www.usedpartslive.com/live/1/year/PONTIAC/GRAND_PRIX/Wheel/

By Chris Martin (*)

Date 12-21-2004 19:05

Once again thank you Lawrence for your reply. I just ordered a used wheel. I was thinking along the same lines but wasn't sure.

Chris