what should i watch out when buying used rims with tires?

Question

i am looking to buy 2 sets of rims with tires from a guy. what should i look for in the tires? how can i check the treads if the tires and the condition? what else should i be looking for? thanks!

Answer 1

Taking them to a tire place and having them check it is the best option. To save yourself some trouble:

--Go to your auto parts store and get a tire tread depth checker. This will measure how deep the tread is on a tire. Also get a tire pressure checker.

--Check the tread of the tires. Once a tire reaches 3/32" it is time to replace it. Realize a car's tread wears down about 2/32" on the front tires every 3000-6000 miles, depending on a lot of factors. But that will give you a basic idea of how much time you have left if you keep them rotated.

--Check the tire pressure as well. If it doesn't have air, that doesn't necessarily mean don't get it, but it might raise a flag.

--Brain a spray bottle of soapy water. Spray it around the tires that have air and watch for bubbles. This is a sign of it leaking. If there is a leak on the sidewall of the tire, the tire is no good and cannot be repaired. If there's a leak in the tread, it can probably be repaired with little to no cost. If it is leaking right where the rim and tire meet, that might be ok - but again get it checked out. It might need to be cleaned or it could be a sign of something more serious like a bent rim. Notify the tire store of any of these problem so they can take a closer inspection of it. If there's no visible leak, there still might be a leak. Have the tire store check them out too. They can add more air to the tire and this sometimes makes a leak more visual.

--Look for obvious signs of tire problems. Are the tires rotting out and starting to crack? Do you notice and bulges in the sidewall? Are there any dents or scratches in the rim that makes it look like they hit a curb and did damage?

Good luck. Hope you find a good deal.

Matt

Answer 2

You shouldn't have to look for anything. Before scratching the check, take them to a reputable tire dealer and have them checked out. They can take the rubber off of the rim, check the seals, stems, and overall condition of the tire. If the guy selling won't let you do it, they're probably not worth buying.

Answer 3

Look for scratches and scrapes on the tires and the rims. Make sure that the rims aren't bent. Make sure that the rims will fit your car, with the correct bolt pattern. Check the tires for any plugs or repairs. Do have them balanced before you put them on. Good luck.

Answer 4

be sure to look in the inside for cracks.if chrome make sure there not bent because they will leak.another thing roll the tire about 50 feet to check for balance.