摘要 |
A wheel rim assembly (10) includes a first bead flange and a separable second bead flange (16), the separable second bead flange (16) maintained on a wheel rim (12) of the wheel rim assembly (10) by a retaining ring assembly (20). The retaining ring assembly (20) includes an outboard portion (22) which is partially disposed within an axial opening (18) between the second bead flange (16) and wheel rim (12). The second bead flange (16) and the wheel rim (12) each include an oppositely disposed complementary shaped lobe groove (13, 17) communicating with the axial opening (18). Disposed within the axial opening (18) is a flexible composite corrosion seal (30) comprising a generally rectangularly shaped central flexible member (32) joined with a radially extending flexible base member (35) having a plurality of axially extending protrusions (40) and oppositely disposed, spaced apart flexible lobe members (38, 39) each received within a respective lobe groove (13, 17). The seal (30) is flexible and when installed the lobe members (38, 39) extend radially outwardly to be received within the lobe grooves (13, 17) such that the seal (30) is captured within the axial opening (18) and prevents contaminants from entering into an area (50) between the second bead flange (16) and wheel rim (12) wherein the retaining ring assembly (20) is housed. |