FAQ: Rims, Wheels that Look Good on the Riv

I've watched those on eBay for quite a while, really like them. Only problem is, they're chromed aluminums, like our stockers, right? One problem I'd like to fix by changing the rims is the bead seal leaking. Guessing those would do the same after a while. Still, for the right price, I'd put up with it.

thats my boss

rim with riv center cap i dont know why i took that pic









im really thinkin about it
if i can get him down to $300, ill prolly get em and eventually fit a set of 255/40/19 tires on it

I think those rims are awesome,dude!

I would buy them if I didn't already have my 17s, Those look fantastic on your car

AA wrote:

I've watched those on eBay for quite a while, really like them. Only problem is, they're chromed aluminums, like our stockers, right? One problem I'd like to fix by changing the rims is the bead seal leaking. Guessing those would do the same after a while. Still, for the right price, I'd put up with it.

The stock ones on my Riv were leaking. I sent it to a local tire shop and he was able to put something on them that had to sit over night and it fixed it! $200.00 though

I think those would look great. What did they come off of, a Lucerne?

Too bad they don't come in 18-19's. That would be perfect!

For the price, I'd say get them. Looks good. If you put larger tires on there, you're in business.

get em!

get 'em! Lowering a little bit would look really tight!

jax95riv wrote:

get 'em! Lowering a little bit would look really tight!

And then see if these fit...

BUICK RIVIERA WHEEL EMBLEMS 1 3/4 inches
Link

Hope your fix lasts. I've had mine "repaired" at least 4 times.

Buapo wrote:

For the price, I'd say get them. Looks good. If you put larger tires on there, you're in business.

definitely needs bigger tires. apparently, these were fit to a 94 buick century. I have no idea how those could possible look good on that but i dunno. they have 225/35/19 and according to discount tires fitment page i need 225/40/19 to make them stock overall diameter. anyone know for sure if thats right? when I get the tires though, ill get 255/40/19

i have 255/50/16

turtleman wrote:

apparently, these were fit to a 94 buick century. I have no idea how those could possible look good on that

I have no idea why rims would be a high priority when you're driving a Century. How about, different car? Why would you bother trying to work with a Century?

Aaaaanywho, talk him down to $300 on account of that amazing curb rash, if you can live with it.

No problems with my chromes yet.

Keeping my fingers crossed . . .

If I had known, I'd have used nitrogen from the beginning.

Seems like when I raised the nitrogen subject on regalgs.org the consensus was that it's a load of crap.

I may be remembering it wrong though.

Awesome! I'm going to trade my pocket bike for the rims! I can so live with that.

The nitrogen molecules are larger than the oxygen molecules and theoretically shouldn't leak out as fast.

The most proven usage of nitrogen fill is in racing tires where the pressure in the tire won't increase nearly as much when it heats up compared to a tire filled up with straight air.

The RegalGS thread was questioning nitrogen as it related to performance if I remember, not maintenance.

The reason I'm getting at is, pure nitrogen doesn't include water vapor like air (humidity). Our inner rims corrode as a result of moisture inside the tire, and as we keep filling them up with air, more water stays in the tire, so the problem gets worse. Here's a post from an engineer's discussion board:

"Large aircraft rarely use inner tubes so the gas used has direct contact with the wheel. Compressor air being slightly moist could promote corrosion over time. Dry Nitrogen was better."

From the same discussion:

"As far as corrosion resistence, rusting will only occur when the oxygen in the air can reach bare metal. Unless for some reason your wheels didn't come painted or the surface was damaged before the tire was put on, the side of the wheel open to the ambient air will corrode much, much faster."

Found this quote at a site debunking the use of nitrogen in street vehicles:

"Humidity can also be a factor in wheel maintenance — since pure nitrogen doesn't have moisture in it, supposedly your wheels won't rust as quickly, which could lead to improved wheel performance and air sealing. The question is, how big a problem is wheel rust these days? According to a few tire and wheel shops we contacted, not very. Seriously rusted wheels are uncommon in typical steel-wheeled cars, and many high-performance cars have alloy wheels that don't rust at all. One exception is work vehicles such as dump trucks, which are exposed to a much harsher environment."

The other exception being us.

Hmm - we've got exceptional humidity down here in the lakes area. I haven't been anywhere more humid yet. My rims are holding up. Maybe there's another factor, like high speed driving over rough surfaces or potholes? Our roads are generally smooth and there are few chances to hit 80 +

Could be, but I never hit any potholes when mine started, and all of my wheels leak, not just one or two. Only thing I know, when we took the tires off and looked at the seal area, I couldn't believe how pitted and corroded they were, was surprised they held any air at all. And the fix is always the same: sand away the corrosion with an air grinder, then apply a new bead seal. This lasts about 6 months, then they all start leaking again. Each wheel leaks about the same, slightly more up front, I suppose because of the extra weight.

Jack, maybe you've been fortunate to fill up with dry air. Some shops control this more than others. They're supposed to drain the tank regularly, but who knows. You don't need nitrogen to be dry, but it's a nice guarantee.

Or, perhaps you had tires mounted by someone who really knows how to fix this problem. I've had a few who managed to delay it longer than others.

I don't know how well they would work with the Riv.

But for $350 for a set with tires? Give it a try. Can't look much worse than those stockers.

before filling the front tire all the way and lowering the rear again

i also pulled off the rear air compressor since it was already disconnected and probly broken. dead weight... and a pretty heavy thing, it was.