Straightening buckled alloys

[Codswallop]

Hello PHers,

I have 2 buckled alloys (photos below). Firstly, are my wheels even repairable, and has anyone got experience/ know how effective and safe straightened alloys are? Or would I be better off trying to source new wheels (though they are quite rare)?





Thanks for any help

[Sump]

Northampton welding. Gets them just like new

[juliethotel]

Personally I'd just put a block of wood in the inside of the rim and hit it with a hammer until its looks the right shape, but there are places that will do that sort of thing professionally.

[deltashad]

Buy a plastic mallet, whack away, make it nice and get it balanced. It will be fine.

[mybrainhurts]

Might be worth checking for cracks.

[Codswallop]

mybrainhurts said:

Might be worth checking for cracks.

Good point - would this require any special equipment/ be routinely done by a reputable alloy repair place?

Already found a crack in one of my wheels, though that one was quite obvious It's the microscopic ones I'd want someone to be able to examine for.



Yes, I've really been that unlucky with my wheels recently

[GC8]

You need a non-destructive tester.

[SystemParanoia]

you need sidewalls!

[stuttgartmetal]

You need a skip.

[SystemParanoia]

stuttgartmetal said:

You need a skip.

i already have one

[Codswallop]

SystemParanoia said:

you need sidewalls!

Certainly looks like it

They're the standard 40 profile tyres, and clearly don't provide enough cushioning for our roads. Next vehicle will have to be a Baja trophy truck methinks.

[SystemParanoia]

Codswallop said:

SystemParanoia said:

you need sidewalls!

Certainly looks like it

They're the standard 40 profile tyres, and clearly don't provide enough cushioning for our roads. Next vehicle will have to be a Baja trophy truck methinks.

I call dibbs on the 1st passenger ride!!

[Garvin]

Codswallop said:

mybrainhurts said:

Might be worth checking for cracks.

Good point - would this require any special equipment/ be routinely done by a reputable alloy repair place?

Special equipment!! I doubt it - they will probably use the tried and tested method I use. Place rim (no tyre) face down on bench (or similar hard surface) and 'flick' with Mk1 finger nail. If good it will ring nicely like a bell, if cracked it will not 'ring' but sound 'dull'.

[Ozzie Osmond]

juliethotel said:

Personally I'd just put a block of wood in the inside of the rim and hit it with a hammer until its looks the right shape, but there are places that will do that sort of thing professionally.

^^^^ Exactly. That's the way I've done it and my dealer tells me the professionals do it exactly the same way.

Tools required,

• Good block of wood
• Big hammer (I use a 4lb lump hammer)
• Common sense (plenty of...)

The secret is to hit "firmly" rather than "hard".

[wessexrfc]

Is it Merc wheels that are weak?? My Vito had a flat after recent new tyres, took it back and they found the Alloy badly cracked!!! Got it welded by local engineer, all good. My Noble's original wheels are known to be made of chocolate, the guy refurbishing them will also straighten and balance.

[Codswallop]

Ozzie Osmond said:

juliethotel said:

Personally I'd just put a block of wood in the inside of the rim and hit it with a hammer until its looks the right shape, but there are places that will do that sort of thing professionally.

^^^^ Exactly. That's the way I've done it and my dealer tells me the professionals do it exactly the same way.

Tools required,

• Good block of wood
• Big hammer (I use a 4lb lump hammer)
• Common sense (plenty of...)

The secret is to hit "firmly" rather than "hard".

Interesting - I was under the impression that a bit of heat would have been needed to soften the metal first. Most alloy places I found after a quick google want £50+ per wheel (though that does involve tyre removal/ refitting).

So general consensus that straightening those wheels pictured should be safe, which is nice