Alloy wheel repair?
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Centerburg Ohio
Alloy wheel repair?
Took my '05 base coupe to Discount Tire to have 4 new TPMS installed @$60 and to locate a slow leak in front right tire. Turned out to be a slight rim leak which they fixed for free. They rebalanced all four wheels and found a "bent" front right wheel. It balanced perfectly and I have never noticed any vibration or front end shake.
They could replace it with an OEM rim for $300+ or repair it for $125 using a mobile wheel repair company called "Alloy wheel repair".
There was no apparent damage to that rim but the runout was obvious caused perhaps from hitting a pothole.
Should I replace the wheel or try the repair route, or, do nothing?
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
Dave
They could replace it with an OEM rim for $300+ or repair it for $125 using a mobile wheel repair company called "Alloy wheel repair".
There was no apparent damage to that rim but the runout was obvious caused perhaps from hitting a pothole.
Should I replace the wheel or try the repair route, or, do nothing?
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
Dave
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 93
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From: Centerburg Ohio
Good question, but I don't know. The runout was visible and did balance out. Had the speed up to 80mph on way home with no vibration. Worried about premature tire and bearing wear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
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From: Sugarhill Ga
I would have the wheel repaired, wheel bearing life will be cut down considerably. I worked for tire stores for years and have used outfits like that many times.
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From: Centerburg Ohio
Thanks. Brad returned my call this morning and, since they are doing 14-16 wheels per day, he will get mine done next week.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Centerburg Ohio
wheel repair UPDATE
Took my '05 base coupe to Discount Tire to have 4 new TPMS installed @$60 and to locate a slow leak in front right tire. Turned out to be a slight rim leak which they fixed for free. They rebalanced all four wheels and found a "bent" front right wheel. It balanced perfectly and I have never noticed any vibration or front end shake.
They could replace it with an OEM rim for $300+ or repair it for $125 using a mobile wheel repair company called "Alloy wheel repair".
There was no apparent damage to that rim but the runout was obvious caused perhaps from hitting a pothole.
Should I replace the wheel or try the repair route, or, do nothing?
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
Dave
They could replace it with an OEM rim for $300+ or repair it for $125 using a mobile wheel repair company called "Alloy wheel repair".
There was no apparent damage to that rim but the runout was obvious caused perhaps from hitting a pothole.
Should I replace the wheel or try the repair route, or, do nothing?
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
Dave
To make a long story short, the wheel, with tire still mounted, was bolted and carefully centered on a stout, vertical shaft. It allowed the wheel to be turned by hand and be turned barrel-up. A dial gauge showed where the wheel was bent and he marked those points on the rim. Then, with a small hand held hydraulic cylinder (hand pump was on the floor) he carefully applied pressure at several places. Finally, after the runout was .015 or less, he was happy. The wheel weight had to be removed so that meant a trip to Discount Tire for a rebalance, which they did for free.
Dave
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Its pretty easy to bend a C6 rim, and so long as the bend is not bad, or the rim cracked, having the rim trued is fine.
As for the rim still .015" out of true, seems like a huge number still (but not on for the $100 only price for a DD tire).
Most specialty shops that have units can get the rims a lot more true than that (in the .003" range), but due to the cost, pretty much reserved for forge rims that are in the thousands each, and not cast rims that that can be replaced for about the same price as the repair instead (plus may have some casting flaws that will cause more problems than good if the rim is repaired).
As for the rim still .015" out of true, seems like a huge number still (but not on for the $100 only price for a DD tire).
Most specialty shops that have units can get the rims a lot more true than that (in the .003" range), but due to the cost, pretty much reserved for forge rims that are in the thousands each, and not cast rims that that can be replaced for about the same price as the repair instead (plus may have some casting flaws that will cause more problems than good if the rim is repaired).