Damaged Alloy

[julesv]

Has anyone got any bright ideas?

Having hit a bloody great pothole in my Camaro I now have a slightly buckled wheel. It is only really noticeable above about 60mph but I want to get it sorted. Local tyre place have said they cannot balance it. The car is fitted with aftermarket 17" chrome Prime alloys. I have scoured the internet and the wheels no longer seem to be available. There is no visible damage and I wonder if anyone knows if it is possible to have the wheel repaired.

I guess the only other option is to buy a whole new set.

[franv8]

You really need to speak to a decent alloy wheel repair place - assuming it is only a minor bend, I guess they may be able to turn some alloy off the wheel to get it straight again, along with crack detection to make sure there are no fractures.

How buckled is it? Can you 'see' it? Some wheels can be a nightmare to balance anyway, especially if they have old worn tyres on them (in Yank mobile sizes they seem very sensitive to wheel balance). It is even more exagerrated with cheaper brand manufacturers.

[julesv]

No you can't see it at all. I had a slight vibration for a week or two and then had four new tyres fitted which is when they diagnosed the damage. Strangely it is worse with the new tyres on...

[franv8]

Hmm, perhaps try for a second opinion at a different tyre place...

Also, is the damaged wheel on the front? If so try swapping it to the rear.

[julesv]

It was on the front, now on the back.

[jordee]

Try these people
Newport Road, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, MK17 8UD, UK
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk

[julesv]

Thanks very much for the replies. Took the car to another tyre fitter yesterday who once he had cleaned all the cack of the inside of the wheel managed to balance it perfectly. Why the first one couldn't have done this after I had spent £400 there I do not know. Anyway panic over and no more double vision!