Bent alloy wheels are a common problem for car owners. Whether it’s from a small pothole, or just driving over a speed bump, over time the alloy wheels can become deformed and bent.
If you own an alloy wheel-equipped car, you will have to be careful of your wheels in order to keep them looking new and pristine. Alloys are prone to damage much more than regular steel wheels.
Even with all the precautions in place, accidents do happen and you might end up with a bent alloy wheel. But don’t worry! Fixing bent alloy wheels isn’t as hard as you think it is.
If you check carefully enough and catch any deviations early enough, repairing your cosmetic blemishes should not be that hard. So let’s find out how to fix a bendy alloy wheel!
What Causes A Wheel To Bend?
The main cause of alloy wheel damage is potholes, curbs, and speed bumps.
Alloys can only bend and not break, which is the reason why they were chosen for use in cars. When the wheel hits an object, the wheel will deform.
It will return to its normal shape after the object has been passed. But, if the object is too big, or the wheel hits the object at too high a speed, it can cause the wheel to bend.
Other factors that can lead to bent wheels include accidents, incorrect wheel placement, incorrect wheel or tire pressure, extreme weather conditions, or if your car has been in a flood.
How To Spot A Bent Wheel?
If you suspect that your wheel is bending, the first thing you should do is check it for signs of damage. Here’s how:
The first thing you can do is check your wheel’s run-out. Run-out is basically a measure of how much your wheel has been deformed.
If you have a dial indicator, you can use it to check the wheel.
Next, you can look for wheel wobble. This is usually caused by a bent wheel, as this is not something that you would normally notice during normal driving.
To check the wheel wobble, you can put a car wheel alignment gauge under your wheel
Lastly, you can check your wheel’s dish. If you’re not familiar with this term, it’s basically the difference between the wheel’s outside diameter and inside diameter.
DIY fix: Using A Disc Brake Caliper Tool
If you notice a minor wheel deformation, you can try fixing it yourself. You will need a disc brake caliper tool to press your wheel back into shape. Here’s how you can do it: –
DIY Fix: Using A Hydraulic Jack And Axle Wrench
If your wheel has a larger deformation, you can try fixing it by placing a jack under your car and lifting it up until the wheel is almost touching the ground.
Then, use an axle wrench to press your wheel back into shape.
Once you have lowered your car back onto the ground, make sure that there are no signs of damage. If there are, you will have to get your wheel professionally repaired.
Professional Fix: Have Your Alloy Wheel Repaired!
If you feel like your wheel is beyond repair, you will have to get it professionally repaired. There are several ways that you can go about getting your wheel repaired:
If your wheel has a minor bend, you can head to an auto repair shop and get it repaired there. Make sure that you check the price before you commit.
If you want to do it yourself and save some money, you can get a wheel repair kit from your local auto parts store.
These kits are relatively cheap and come with everything that you will need to get the job done. Be sure to follow the instructions on the box and you should be good to go!
You can also get a wheel replacement kit if you feel like your wheel is beyond repair. These kits come with all the necessary parts to replace your bent wheel.
They are generally cost-effective around $500-600. This might seem like a lot, but they are worth it.
Check The Damage
The wheel is back in shape, you need to make sure that there are no signs of damage. If your wheel has a large deformation, it might have been damaged in the process.
In that case, you will have to get it repaired. You can check for signs of damage by looking at your wheel and measuring its thickness.
If the wheel is thinner than it should be, it might have been damaged in the process. Do not drive your car if there are signs of damage!
How To Fix A Bent Alloy Wheel?
If your wheel has been bent, but there are no visible signs of damage, you can try fixing it by yourself. However, you will need to do this very carefully so that you do not cause any new damage in the process.
Here’s how you can do it:
First, you will need to protect your wheel and wheel bearings from damage by covering them with a rag. You can do this by placing a clean rag between the wheel and the wheel nut. Do not apply too much pressure.
Once you have repositioned your wheel, make sure that it is in its original shape. You can do this by applying pressure equally from all sides.
Once you are sure that your wheel is in its original shape, remove your jack and remove the wheel.
FAQS
Can a bent alloy wheel be repaired?
Yes, a bent alloy wheel can be repaired. However, it is important to note that the repair may not be perfect, and the wheel may not be as strong as it was before it was damaged. Therefore, it is important to consult with a qualified mechanic or wheel specialist before attempting any repairs.
Can you fix a bent wheel at home?
It is possible to fix a bent wheel at home, but it is not recommended. Unless you have extensive experience working with wheels, it is best to leave this type of repair to a professional. Bent wheels can be very difficult to fix, and even more difficult to fix properly. If you attempt to fix a bent wheel at home and do not do it correctly, you could end up causing more damage to the wheel, which could lead to an accident.
Can you fix a bent rim with a hammer?
No, you cannot fix a bent rim with a hammer. A bent rim is caused by either hitting something while driving or by having a tire that is not properly inflated. If you hit something while driving, the best thing to do is to take your car to a professional to have the rim repaired or replaced. If you have a tire that is not properly inflated, you can try to inflate it to the proper pressure and see if that fixes the problem. If not, you will need to take your car to a professional to have the rim repaired or replaced.
