Pothole damage question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 361
From: Mayer, AZ
Pothole damage question
I found a deep pothole and damaged both the left side wheels. Both are bent very noticeably, anybody ever have a bent wheel straightened?
Likelihood of suspension damage? I looked very closely but didn't see anything. Anything I should look for or just take to a good suspension shop?
Likelihood of suspension damage? I looked very closely but didn't see anything. Anything I should look for or just take to a good suspension shop?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 686
Likes: 239
From: Houston TX
I bent one pretty bad and got it straightened. They key is finding a shop that has the skill set to do it, luckily I found a small local shop that specializes in vettes. Most shops will just want to replace the wheel versus the patience of staring at a dial indicator trying to massage it into a round shape again. I'm happy with the results and have tracked the car at high speed and its perfect. As far as suspension damage I'd have it inspected and at a minimum get an alignment check.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,671
Likes: 7,738
From: NJ
Have it inspected. The aluminum suspension components crack easily.
Good luck.
Ps. Always have insurance to cope with it.
Also contact road dept and make a claim also ask if that pothole was previously reported. If it was they may pay for repair.
Good luck.
Ps. Always have insurance to cope with it.
Also contact road dept and make a claim also ask if that pothole was previously reported. If it was they may pay for repair.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 650
I found a deep pothole and damaged both the left side wheels. Both are bent very noticeably, anybody ever have a bent wheel straightened?
Likelihood of suspension damage? I looked very closely but didn't see anything. Anything I should look for or just take to a good suspension shop?
Likelihood of suspension damage? I looked very closely but didn't see anything. Anything I should look for or just take to a good suspension shop?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
I hit a nasty pothole on 35E going through Dallas. Blew out a tire and bent a wheel. Insurance ended up paying for the wheel, tire, and an alignment.
Last edited by Kracka; Feb 21, 2019 at 09:34 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Usually places like Discount Tire have a mobile wheel straightening service come to their location on an as called basis. Usual charge is around $150. They can't repair a wheel that is bent through the hub (lateral run out) but it is possible to repair ones that are bent on the edges. A lot of tire shops and dealerships have enough damaged wheels to keep a wheel service busy for a half a day or more per location. I have had several wheels straightened by one of those services. You can do a Google Search to see which services are available in your area if you want to go directly to a provider Vs working through a tire shop.
Don't worry too much about the suspension pieces cracking. If you hit something hard enough to damage the control arms or knuckle they bend Vs crack and you will notice it right away as the car gets difficult to drive or even tow with that kind of damage. I have been through that misery as well.
Bill
Don't worry too much about the suspension pieces cracking. If you hit something hard enough to damage the control arms or knuckle they bend Vs crack and you will notice it right away as the car gets difficult to drive or even tow with that kind of damage. I have been through that misery as well.
Bill
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 361
From: Mayer, AZ
Thanks Bill! Good info to have. Fortunately I live in So Cal and found several places that sound good. ended up buying two new wheels but I'm going to have the two bent ones straightened for spares.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 650
Usually places like Discount Tire have a mobile wheel straightening service come to their location on an as called basis. Usual charge is around $150. They can't repair a wheel that is bent through the hub (lateral run out) but it is possible to repair ones that are bent on the edges. A lot of tire shops and dealerships have enough damaged wheels to keep a wheel service busy for a half a day or more per location. I have had several wheels straightened by one of those services. You can do a Google Search to see which services are available in your area if you want to go directly to a provider Vs working through a tire shop.
Don't worry too much about the suspension pieces cracking. If you hit something hard enough to damage the control arms or knuckle they bend Vs crack and you will notice it right away as the car gets difficult to drive or even tow with that kind of damage. I have been through that misery as well.
Bill
Don't worry too much about the suspension pieces cracking. If you hit something hard enough to damage the control arms or knuckle they bend Vs crack and you will notice it right away as the car gets difficult to drive or even tow with that kind of damage. I have been through that misery as well.
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Some DT stores use a service that picks them up and takes them to another facility. In my case in Cumming, GA., the guys they sent them to one who damaged three of the four wheels because they didn't know how to dismount and remount the run-flats. DT made good on it though and I ended up with a free set of Continentals that I mounted on new forged rims. They also threw in road hazard coverage for free
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,465
Likes: 650
once they are bent, they are weaker, and will bend again very quickly. You can get wheels at cost if you search around for 500 bucks or less a piece easily from a dealer or supplier. Dont buy used wheels, or they will be bent 
Straitening them is going to cost a couple hundred a wheel. Its a waste of funds in my opinion. But i drive the cars hard, so maybe you will be okay. Seems like i bend mine just crossing the damn train track at 30mph.
Straitening them is going to cost a couple hundred a wheel. Its a waste of funds in my opinion. But i drive the cars hard, so maybe you will be okay. Seems like i bend mine just crossing the damn train track at 30mph.
Last edited by Mikec7z; Feb 26, 2019 at 12:12 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,260
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From: SE WI
The positive thing about the weak rims is that they will bend before the suspension does. So unless you go up a curb or some violent hit on the wheels, it’ll just be rim damage. Forged rims are a good solution over spending money fixing or buying more cast rims.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 361
From: Mayer, AZ
UPDATE:
I bought two new wheels and a new tire. All mounted and on the car.
My insurance company (State Farm) advised me that even though I have been with them for 12 years and no claims, this would be a chargeable event, and my rates would probably go up. So I didn't turn it in, but began searching for a new insurance company today.
City, "rejected" claim, so I ended up eating this one, just under $1500 dollars.
I am going to have the wheels straightened and keep them for another pothole event.
Thanks to all for your insight and suggestions.
I bought two new wheels and a new tire. All mounted and on the car.
My insurance company (State Farm) advised me that even though I have been with them for 12 years and no claims, this would be a chargeable event, and my rates would probably go up. So I didn't turn it in, but began searching for a new insurance company today.
City, "rejected" claim, so I ended up eating this one, just under $1500 dollars.
I am going to have the wheels straightened and keep them for another pothole event.
Thanks to all for your insight and suggestions.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 650
They seem to be about equal or, better said, one goes with the other, especially if the bend was due to an impact and it doesn't take much of an impact. If you hit 1" ridge in the pavement at most any highway speed it will be enough to cause the damage. If that happens, you'll probably eventually find you have a cracked wheel. The cast OEM's are just not strong enough to handle this car, especially when matched with run-flats.