Question on Rim Repairability

[OptimusPriM5]

Brought set of rims to have balanced one was a bit quirky when they were spinning it so they brought in a repair technician from an independent repair company and his diagnosis...center bent!

So my question is is that wheel unrepairable, period? Is now a boat anchor or can they be fixed under certain circumstances?

[jdstrickland]

I've never seen a rim bent in the center. This is a good question to have asked the guy that said it is bent.

[SMOKEY53]

Is this an OEM wheel?

Very strange to see it bend in the centre, you must have run straight over a rock that only hit in the centre of the wheel.

If it's not cracked (style 168s are notorious for cracking) then they should be able to roll it back out. If it's cracked in the centre then, yes, start planning where to put your new wheel/coffee table feature.

All depends on just how out of balance it is. You might be able to run it and not even notice the imbalance.

[Jungerishere]

The center refers to the barrel of the wheel. And yes, barrel can bent. Wheel repair shops can fix bent barrel but by bending it back will degrade the original structural strength. And even though the lip can be restored round, barrel will never be perfectly round.

[OptimusPriM5]

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

I've never seen a rim bent in the center. This is a good question to have asked the guy that said it is bent.

I did and thats why I am asking here too...trust BUT verify!

[OptimusPriM5]

Originally Posted by Jungerishere

The center refers to the barrel of the wheel. And yes, barrel can bent. Wheel repair shops can fix bent barrel but by bending it back will degrade the original structural strength. And even though the lip can be restored round, barrel will never be perfectly round.

Thanks for clarifying

[OptimusPriM5]

Originally Posted by SMOKEY53

Is this an OEM wheel?

Very strange to see it bend in the centre, you must have run straight over a rock that only hit in the centre of the wheel.

If it's not cracked (style 168s are notorious for cracking) then they should be able to roll it back out. If it's cracked in the centre then, yes, start planning where to put your new wheel/coffee table feature.

All depends on just how out of balance it is. You might be able to run it and not even notice the imbalance.

Thanks for the reply.

Not cracked and only apparent at 60mph. Went in for road force balance hoping would help cure but this was the diagnosis found. I do remember hitting a pothole VERY long time ago but do not recall behavior being this bad. Wondering if the tires could be contributing they are close to 10 year old Toyos and look like they are running out too. Hmmm

[jdstrickland]

Originally Posted by OptimusPriM5

Thanks for the reply.

Not cracked and only apparent at 60mph. Went in for road force balance hoping would help cure but this was the diagnosis found. I do remember hitting a pothole VERY long time ago but do not recall behavior being this bad. Wondering if the tires could be contributing they are close to 10 year old Toyos and look like they are running out too. Hmmm

Your tires can easily be the source of the troubles you have. The bent rim might not be noticeable if the if the tires are in good shape.

You might want to put the bent rim in the trunk and pull the spare out for daily use. Buy 4 new tires, put the best of the tires that come off onto the bent rim to be used as a spare.

[OptimusPriM5]

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

Your tires can easily be the source of the troubles you have. The bent rim might not be noticeable if the if the tires are in good shape.

You might want to put the bent rim in the trunk and pull the spare out for daily use. Buy 4 new tires, put the best of the tires that come off onto the bent rim to be used as a spare.

Thanks think this will be my approach as the tires are almost at wear bars and pretty choppy and like I said almost 10 years old anyway.

[jdstrickland]

Then buy 5 new tires, OR put the spare tire onto the bent rim.

The tire store will tell you that a 10-year old tire is not serviceable and should be replaced. You certainly do not want one tire on the ground that's different than the three new ones, so you need at least 4 tires to match on the ground, and the different one in the trunk. If the tire in the trunk is 10 years old, then it will just keep getting older and therefore less and less serviceable.

All you need to do before you put my plan into action is to look to see if your spare rim is the same as the others on your car.