Flat spots on alloy wheels

Flat spots on alloy wheels

Author
Discussion

Mercdriver

Original Poster:

2,614 posts

40 months

Monday 14th October
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Bought car two years ago with new MOT, this advisory about flat spots on wheels on same side, possible pothole damage.

Took wheels off the car to see what was wrong with them, obvious flat spot on rim on both.

Is it a good idea to try and get them trued up? Or should I put the damaged alloys on the back, different tyres so would have to swap the wheels but not the tyres. They do not lose pressure

What would you do, advice please


shtu

3,702 posts

153 months

Monday 14th October
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There are places will will straighten them, but you might find it cheaper to buy decent used wheels.

A M G

1,246 posts

248 months

Monday 14th October
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I had similar a couple of years ago - staggered wheels so no swapping to one axle - it was about £250 from memory to have them straightened. Cheaper than any second hand replacements I could find (19”) at the time. Use a reputable place and I don’t see any issues.

Huzzah

27,511 posts

190 months

Monday 14th October
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If the car drives okay ignore.

gazza285

10,184 posts

215 months

Monday 14th October
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£250? We’ve always just knocked out the flat with a hide hammer…

A M G

1,246 posts

248 months

Monday 14th October
quotequote all
gazza285 said:
£250? We’ve always just knocked out the flat with a hide hammer…
Merc alloys made of cheese at the best of times….

On reflection…there may have been welding involved too. Can’t quite recall.

Robertb

2,073 posts

245 months

Monday 14th October
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It was around £70 to have my CLSs wheel straightened.

Made a difference to the noise in the car even though it was a rear wheel.

littleredrooster

5,700 posts

203 months

Monday 14th October
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£35 per wheel to have two of mine straightened and balanced about 5 years ago. It cured a persistent wheel wobble which I couldn't get rid of.

Huff

3,224 posts

198 months

Monday 14th October
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Fix it ; at some point soon it'll take something trivial to stop the tyre sealing adequately, and /then/ you'll be chasing your tail about how to move the car / rotate through straightening wheels to sort it out. esp if you spare turns out to be bent , too (says an ex Alpina owner... crikey I miss that car, though)

And - as above - the ride quality will improve, becasue this is about rotation precision (the rims are deformed into D-shape, therefore bead / tyre seat is also squished a little sideways - the aspect that 'balance weights cannot fix)


Quattromaster

2,949 posts

211 months

Monday 14th October
quotequote all
£55 plus vat we charge to straighten alloys here in North Essex.

That’s tyre off, bolt the alloy to the wheel straightener, heat to temp, tease back into shape using various hydraulic rams.

Refit tyre, new valve and rebalance.

This whole “Hit it with a hammer” scares me to death, but sadly goes on so much.

H6CJF

669 posts

198 months

Monday 14th October
quotequote all
I’ve got one being straightened down here in Devon at the moment (19” BMW style 351) - £70. Tyre place showed me how out of true it was when I was getting it balanced. Balancing didn’t fix it so I’m hoping straightening it will!

Red Devil

13,190 posts

215 months

Monday 14th October
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My local repair shop in north Kent:

Straightening ( dented/buckled alloys )
Next working day repair = £50
While you wait per repair = £80 (1-2 hours )
Prices can be affected by how damaged the alloy is and to be quoted in person once alloy has been inspected.

If the wheel is buckled in more than one place, then there will likely be an uplift in the cost.

E-bmw

9,964 posts

159 months

Tuesday 15th October
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I have also "done it myself" a couple of times (but only on inner rim) using a hydraulic rig that I have.

Slowly, slowly catchee monkey in small steps and no issues afterwards.

Car I still own needed 2 doing, now 3 years on all is still good.

deeen

6,121 posts

252 months

Tuesday 15th October
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Had one front done on my 328 last week. Heat up, hydraulic press (outer and inner), then refurbish. When they took the tyre off they found a hairline crack so they welded that. Total £150, thanks, pothole.

The online breakers (German car parts etc) wanted between £120 and £180 for 1 wheel, and I didn't have much confidence in them supplying the exact match. On the other hand, I did find a private seller selling 4 wheels and tyres off a 520 for £120 total, but all the tyres were 1 size out... you could get lucky!

blauvel

2 posts

1 month

Tuesday 15th October
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Alloy wheel repairs, such as straightening or truing up, can restore the wheels to their original shape if the damage isn't too severe. It's a cost-effective solution compared to buying new wheels, especially if the wheels still hold pressure and aren't bent beyond repair.

Mercdriver

Original Poster:

2,614 posts

40 months

Tuesday 15th October
quotequote all
Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated found several local companies that repair alloys. As damage is not too bad I think it will be an easy repair so for peace of mind I will have them repaired

Mercdriver

Original Poster:

2,614 posts

40 months

Tuesday 15th October
quotequote all
Local repairer wants £60 a wheel so I will go with that. Another company wanted to sandblast before repairing and £200 damage is light so painting not required.