bent wheel - verdicts ??

[chevy-stu]

After a lovely weekend dash with some other keen drivers, I hit a nasty pothole on the A40 flyover at Shepherds Bush, and it badly bent my front left wheel..

God knows how it's still holding air, but looking for opinions if it looks repairable.. It's a Rondell 058, in BMW 5/7 series size getting quite rare now, and possibly hard to replace..



I am looking to claim for the damage so if any has the direct contact at TFL who look after this bit of road that might be handy too..

[Superhoop]

That's not bent, that's cattle trucked

[the_lone_wolf]

Superhoop said:

That's not bent, that's cattle trucked

Proper trucked?

...

Yeah Tommy, before "ze Chermans" get there...

[phil1979]

Easily repairable.

Check out some of these fixes: http://www.alloyweldcraft.co.uk/alloy-wheel-repair...

Based in High Wycombe.

[chevy-stu]

Was think of trying to bash myself with a rubber hammer, but worried about making it worse or cracking it obviously....

[anonymous-user]

From that site.....



Good going to repair that!!

[Ozzie Osmond]

chevy-stu said:

Was think of trying to bash myself with a rubber hammer, but worried about making it worse or cracking it obviously....

My preference is to use a substantial block of wood with a slightly rounded end and strike it firmly (but gently, if you see what I mean) with a 4lb lump hammer. I reckon you'll get that sorted.

[phil1979]

Ozzie Osmond said:

My preference is to use a substantial block of wood with a slightly rounded end and strike it firmly (but gently, if you see what I mean) with a 4lb lump hammer. I reckon you'll get that sorted.

Or perhaps a bottle jack arrangement of some sort?

[chevy-stu]

yonex said:

From that site.....



Good going to repair that!!

jesus christ, i've had a cracked wheel refurb'd before but not quite like that... Looks like Godzilla's chewed it ..

[chevy-stu]

Ozzie Osmond said:

My preference is to use a substantial block of wood with a slightly rounded end and strike it firmly (but gently, if you see what I mean) with a 4lb lump hammer. I reckon you'll get that sorted.

hmm.. i think i know what you mean..
I thought of taking it to my local tyre fitters to have a bash at, then i can point and be accusatory if it cracks..

[Ozzie Osmond]

phil1979 said:

Or perhaps a bottle jack arrangement of some sort?

I would say "no" for the reason laws of "action and reaction" could bend BOTH sides of the wheel. Just get a big hammer and hit it carefully using a wooden drift. I have used this technique to straighten a wheel so bent that the tyre had lost pressure - not quite as bent as OP's but getting on that way.

[phil1979]

Similarly, I bent my wheel a few weeks back - nowhere near as bad looking as yours, but I was left stranded with a flat. How the OP's is holding air I do not know!

[chevy-stu]

Well I smacked it with a hammer and bit of wood to cushion the blow for about 15 minutes the other day.. managed to crack the clear lacquer, and maybe knocked it back a few mm, but still very bent.

I think I need the help of the pros now, so gonna contact some wheel refurb people..
Emailed TFL and GLA but no reply of course..

[Blown2CV]

some alloy wheel places have laser pneumatic jig things that straighten really bent wheels and often these guys can fix cracks and things too. I dunno about the latter but i've had bent wheels straightened and it's a damn sight cheaper than a new rim

[Frances The Mute]

These rims respond well to a bit of heat and manipulation. It's a 30 minute job for a refurber with the right piece of kit - assuming it passes initial checks for splits etc.

[Leptons]

Don't hit it any more you may crack it. My local back street place has a special machine to do that job.

[chevy-stu]

After email ing TFL their solicitors sent me a claim form, which I'm in the middle of filling in.
I have a couple of quotes and am probably gonna the get the wheel to a local refurber I've used before, so hopefully all will be fine n' dandy !!!