Snow - slush frozen in wheel causing vibrations

[KrS]

So I had the dreaded, snow lump frozen in a wheel this morning. Makes for a bit of a vibration lol.

Does anyone have tips on how to keep this from happening?

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[Tbone289]

I had stock steel wheels on a Jeep XJ that were TERRIBLE about this years ago. You basically couldn't drive it above 45mph if there had been any substantial frozen precipitation. The only solution I could come up with was buying wheels that didn't have pockets for it to collect in, so that's what I did.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Living in a similar climate as your's in Ontario, the only conclusion I have been able to come up with is to move to Florida.

 

[Dignam]

I had stock steel wheels on a Jeep XJ that were TERRIBLE about this years ago. You basically couldn't drive it above 45mph if there had been any substantial frozen precipitation. The only solution I could come up with was buying wheels that didn't have pockets for it to collect in, so that's what I did.

I had the exact same experience with my '96 XJ. The wheels on that thing made it so easy to pack snow into those 5 little holes, but impossible to get out. Only solution was park it in a warm garage for a few hours.

 

[Tbone289]

I had the exact same experience with my '96 XJ. The wheels on that thing made it so easy to pack snow into those 5 little holes, but impossible to get out. Only solution was park it in a warm garage for a few hours.

The problem with mine (2000 XJ, likely the same wheel) was the deep grove behind where the face of the wheel attached to the rim. That groove would collect water (at the bottom, of course!) and it would freeze overnight, basically adding a big ice weight to that section of the wheel. The wheels I replaced them with still had holes, but didn't have that groove to collect the water. I live in a milder climate though, so the snow here doesn't often get high enough to pack into the voids like you guys have experienced, so my experience I'm sure is a bit different.

 

[Master Blaster]

That's partly why I use steelies in the winter, with cheapo plastic hubcaps from Princess Auto to keep the snow out of the dish part of the wheel. The aluminum rims are a poor choice for Ontario winters, since the snow packs in the rims and the wetted roadsalt will just eat them away.
NaCl + H2O = NaOH + HCl (sodium hydroxide and hydrocloric acid)
Steel rims are far more resistant to acid than aluminum.

 

[Tim d]

So I had the dreaded, snow lump frozen in a wheel this morning. Makes for a bit of a vibration lol.

Does anyone have tips on how to keep this from happening?

Move where there's no cold weather? Lived in Michigan my whole life,it's just how it is.the ice will fall off eventually or you could take it to the carwash.

 

[brokenaxle]

Fill a little chemical sprayer with winter windshield fluid and give the wheels a spray while they are warm, or store the sprayer in a warm area to melt the ice when needed.

 

[2lbgill]

Try using a Teflon Spray, the same type they use on satellite dishes. I live in the U.P. and it works on them.

 

[Gray Goose]

That's partly why I use steelies in the winter, with cheapo plastic hubcaps from Princess Auto to keep the snow out of the dish part of the wheel. The aluminum rims are a poor choice for Ontario winters, since the snow packs in the rims and the wetted roadsalt will just eat them away.
NaCl + H2O = NaOH + HCl (sodium hydroxide and hydrocloric acid)
Steel rims are far more resistant to acid than aluminum.

This is the best solution. One of the reasons I went with XL was to get the standard steel. I run steel all year. They're just more durable.

 

[Master Blaster]

Try using a Teflon Spray, the same type they use on satellite dishes. I live in the U.P. and it works on them.

So you're using a toxic forever chemical in the wheelwells? I don't think I'd want to drink the water in your area...

 

[lm126027]

Had similar happen on my Rav rims. 1st time it happened, went to my dealer, getting into work late. No clue what the problem was. I had driven thru a snowbank and snow was packed in the rims causing an out of balance issue. Could not go over 40 without car shaking violently. They took a snow brush and cleaned them out and that solved the issue. Got in the habit of cleaning them whenever I thought there may be a build up. Thought about buying rims, but decided against it. Have on my last 2 vehicles though....

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