R32 Mk5 - Buckled alloy

[deano23]

I have an issue with a car I picked up recently

Experienced a droning / wurring noise from front (i think) wheels when on M/way at 50/60 MPH. Slight vibration through accelerator pedal also.

Had bearings checked by a 'specialist' but no issues there.

Then took it took to a local tyre place that had it on a ramp and said one of front alloys was buckled .

They swapped the wheel to the rear, the noise seems to have improved slightly but i'm not sure if the problem is the buckled wheel and worried it may be something more sinister.

Would this buckled wheel have similar symptons to that of a failed wheel bearing? The buckled wheel is on off-side rear now and the noise does seem to go away when turning to left.

I'd be grateful for your assistance.

[Dr G]

Are any of the tyres wearing unevenly? A common complaint on cars on this platform stems from uneven tyre wear, usually the inside edges of the rears.

You would usually feel a buckled wheel rather than hear it. Is it visibly bent?

[deano23]

Dr G said:

Are any of the tyres wearing unevenly? A common complaint on cars on this platform stems from uneven tyre wear, usually the inside edges of the rears.

You would usually feel a buckled wheel rather than hear it. Is it visibly bent?

None of the tyres are wearing unevenly. Yes I believe it's visibly bent.

I can feel the vibration at certain speeds, but it's the noise thats more worrying.

[Dr G]

It's an easy one to eliminate I suppose, a tyre out of shape can be noisy so it isn't inconceivable a wheel could do it.

Where in the country are you? I can recommend a company in Northolt to straighten said wheel.

[deano23]

Dr G said:

It's an easy one to eliminate I suppose, a tyre out of shape can be noisy so it isn't inconceivable a wheel could do it.

Where in the country are you? I can recommend a company in Northolt to straighten said wheel.

Hi. Ordered a new alloy now. Thanks anyway. I'll let you know how it goes!

[Dave^]

Where did you order the new wheel from?

Is the bent wheel an OEM or copy? There seems to be a few VAG copies on everyones favorite auction site...

[cuprabob]

Ouch, that's going to have hurt your wallet. You're looking at.around £600 each for a genuine Zolder or Omanyt from TPS or dealer

[deano23]

Dave^ said:

Where did you order the new wheel from?

Is the bent wheel an OEM or copy? There seems to be a few VAG copies on everyones favorite auction site...

Hmm....I did buy from everyone's fave auction site. How do I tell if its not genuine? It looked if from the photos etc. I'm not sure if the bent wheel is oem or copy.

[cuprabob]

Genuine wheels have the VW logo stamped on the back along with the part number which will start with 1K0.

Also stamped will be 7.5J which is the width and ET51 which is the offset.

It may also have Ronal stamped on it too as that's who supplied the OEM Zolders and Omanyts.

I wouldn't mix OEM with reps as there is likely to.be a difference in weights.

[deano23]

cuprabob said:

Genuine wheels have the VW logo stamped on the back along with the part number which will start with 1K0.

Also stamped will be 7.5J which is the width and ET51 which is the offset.

It may also have Ronal stamped on it too as that's who supplied the OEM Zolders and Omanyts.

I wouldn't mix OEM with reps as there is likely to.be a difference in weights.

OK thanks. I'm confident it's OEM - just not sure if the other alloys on the car are genuine.