Printable Version | Subscribe | Add to Favourites
New Topic New Poll New Reply
Author: Subject: Repairing a wobbly bent alloy wheel
Mr Whippy

posted on 31/8/09 at 07:54 AM Reply With Quote
Repairing a wobbly bent alloy wheel

Hi,

I’ve been given a set of 17 inch alloys which despite a bit of curb scraping on three of them, are not too bad really and with a bit of work should come up nice.

Prob is there was one which when I spun it, it wobbles not by much 5mm at most at the rim. Checking it closer it looks as though the whole rim is fine but the thin spokes have taken the distortion, making the centre not in the same plain as the rest of the wheel. I noted too that there was a particularly heavy scuff on the rim where it looks like the distortion was caused.

My question is, if I got a machine shop to chuck it in a lathe and skim the back of the hub face to true up the wheel. Would that be ok? Would that cure the wobble? I can’t see any cracks or other damage that would indicate it was dangerous to use it.

Any views? Or has anyone tried this?






View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Flamez

posted on 31/8/09 at 07:56 AM Reply With Quote
Mmmm. what would your answer be if another poster asked the same question.

No brainer I think.





my build mac1motorsports

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Snuggs

posted on 31/8/09 at 08:00 AM Reply With Quote
Bin it !!!!!





----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/snuggstcb
Spider pig, spider pig, does whatever a spider pig does.
I doubt therefore I may be.
Luposlipophobia : Fear of being chased by wolves around a freshly waxed kitchen floor, while wearing only socks on your feet.
My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely!
http://www.venganza.org
http://www.jesusandmo.net/
http://www.snuggs.co.uk

View User's Profile E-Mail User View All Posts By User U2U Member
Mr Whippy

posted on 31/8/09 at 08:04 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Flamez
Mmmm. what would your answer be if another poster asked the same question.

No brainer I think.


Well tbh I don't know enough about alloy repair to even say. I see plenty of alloy repair companies on the web who can fix well mangled wheels. This wheel I have looks very minor compared to what the show as fixable.

like this company - linky

[Edited on 31/8/09 by Mr Whippy]






View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
rusty nuts

posted on 31/8/09 at 08:12 AM Reply With Quote
If it is only 5mm would a decent clean up do? Not ideal but I have seen loads of wheels with far more distortion . PS Don't sue me if it fails!
View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Flamez

posted on 31/8/09 at 08:25 AM Reply With Quote
The point I make, although rather sarcastically I know,sorry, is why would you compromise your safety with such a critical component.





my build mac1motorsports

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Mr Whippy

posted on 31/8/09 at 08:29 AM Reply With Quote
A quick drawing on autocad seems to indicate a maximum of 3mm needs removing from the back of the hub to remove a 5mm wobble at the rim. Doesn’t seem very much tbh. Might put a 3mm washer behind the hub an bolt it up to see if the distortion goes, then I’d know if that’s all it would take. I’ve seen plenty of wobbly wheels to but I’d not want that on this car if I could help it.






View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Nash

posted on 31/8/09 at 08:46 AM Reply With Quote
There was a feature in one of the mags on a company called RIMTECH. I just googled them but can't find a website. Although there is some forum chatter about them which is very positive. I copied in one below which includes the contact name and number. I have a very slightly curbed 18" Monza 2 on my Golf that needs a polish out so I may well be giving them a call.

HTHs................Neil

From: Plante30 Forum:

"I've just had my 16 inch BBS x-spoke alloys refurbed by a company in Meopham,Kent called RIMTECH.......WOW!!
They look brand new.Gloss Black centres diamond cut rims.
They are on my E30 M3 (Lachs-silver)and set the car off a treat!
Contact Scott on 01474 813919 if you want a pukka job for a very reasonable price.

This is not an ad its a recommendation!!"





It's What You Do Next That Counts.

Build It, Buy It, Drive It:
Southern Kit Car Club

View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Mr Whippy

posted on 31/8/09 at 09:12 AM Reply With Quote
^ thanks for that I'll give them a call and see what they have to say

cheers






View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
r1_pete

posted on 31/8/09 at 10:04 AM Reply With Quote
If the spokes have distorted enough to put the rim out I'd expect some hairline cracking, and would agree - bin it.

By all means see what the experts say but without crack testing would you want it supporting you and your family at 40mph +






View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
dhutch

posted on 31/8/09 at 10:53 AM Reply With Quote
Ive never had it done or had it done, but from the sound of it i would have thought it would have been repairable.
- As said, it al depends if theres and fracturing/weakening of the spoke material due to the defomation. I would say (of the top of my head) that there isnt. In which case iwould be looking at maniplating it back to stright on a jig and then machining it to be dead true from there.

Ulitmatly it depends what the alloys are worth if you where to have the fourth wheel repaired, Vs what you can get it repaired for. But im not sure i would simply removed material from the center to get it run straight before trying to maniplate it back.

Daniel

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
A1

posted on 31/8/09 at 02:37 PM Reply With Quote
Id say bin it, think of the vibration youll get.
its better to bin a slightly f*cked wheel than have a crash caused by it.
if you roll it along the floor does it wobble lots?

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Mr Whippy

posted on 31/8/09 at 03:09 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by A1
Id say bin it, think of the vibration youll get.
its better to bin a slightly f*cked wheel than have a crash caused by it.
if you roll it along the floor does it wobble lots?


nope, it doesn't wobble at all when rolled along. You only see it when the wheels bolted on and spun, which leads me to think only the thin spokes have a very slight bend in them. I'm going to phone a wheel repair shop tomorrow and see what they say. No indications of any cracks or stress marks at the ends of the spokes, really I'd not expect any with such a small distortion. It’s not a very strong wheel anyway due to the thinness of the spokes and I suspect the metal is quite soft. From what I’ve read on the web, it looks quite easy and about £40 to fix it.






View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Marcus

posted on 31/8/09 at 03:15 PM Reply With Quote
The prob with taking some off the back of the hub face is nut seats will be at the wrong angle, putting undue stress on the seats and possibly cracking. I personally wouldn't do it that way. The pros may have a better idea how to do it though...





Marcus


Because kits are for girls!!

View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member

New Topic New Poll New Reply


go to top






Website design and SEO by Studio Montage

All content © 2001-16 LocostBuilders. Reproduction prohibited
Opinions expressed in public posts are those of the author and do not necessarily represent
the views of other users or any member of the LocostBuilders team.
Running XMB 1.8 Partagium [© 2002 XMB Group] on Apache under CentOS Linux
Founded, built and operated by ChrisW.