corrosion on factory aluminum tire rims

[GSS123]

Just received a phone call from tire shop that I've done business with for several years. They're replacing all four tires on my daughter's 1994 Camry. Tire shop emplyee tells me there's corrosion on the inside of the wheel and this will need scraped off in order for tire bead to seal. Tire shop employee tells me this is common on aluminum rims and is usually the most correded area where the wheel weights are attached. They wanted $4.50 a tire to wire brush/scrape the corrosion. I told them to go ahead and do the work. They know me and knew there was a chance I would have gone over and checked so I don't believe they were pulling a fast one.

Has anyone else had this experience with corrosion on OEM aluminum wheels tha would prevent proper tire bead sealing?

[Mike Gerber]

GSS123,

This is a common problem as aluminum alloys wheels age. You will probably have to have this cleaning done every few years now, so be sure this type of maintenance is included free of charge with your wauranty. I know if you buy tires from your local Sam's Club they would be doing this for free right up front and then if it is needed again as long as you have the tires on the car; it is part of their road hazard wauranty that comes in their package with the balancing. If you are a good customer and have been for years you might want to give them a call back and see if they will throw it in for free. I wouldn't think they would want to lose a customer over $18.

Mike