Cracked wheel; Repairable?

[ZomzSVT]

Just got home from school, and seen my mother is driving with a nearly flat tire. Recently have had some problems with a slow leak... so I pulled the wheel to check and see if there was a nail or something wrong with the tire.

I found a dented lip on the inside, accompanied by a crack (~.75"). Soaped it down, and it's definitely the cause of the leak. I'm not familiar with repairing damaged wheels, and am curious if I would be better off to just find a replacement wheel for her?

Any one had wheels repaired? Good idea, or not?

 

[Dyoel182]

I've had wheels repaired before but it can cost just as much as a replacement. Check WheelsAmerica to see if there is one close.

 

[ZomzSVT]

Checked out Wheels America. They have 34 of that wheel available! There isn't one close to me (Closest one is near Philadelphia, PA, ~7hrs), but according to their site they have free shipping to the lower 48!

I did find 3 different salvage yard places within a hour from me that list that wheel in good "A" condition on car-part.com for around $50 cheaper that I'm going to call tomorrow. I also got recommended to a mobile wheel repair guy that I'm also going to look into tomorrow as well.

But I'm thinking that it'd be best to order a reman one from Wheels America, especially for the price. (They buy back the damaged wheel, free shipping both ways, etc)

Have you bought any wheels from them in the past? Seems like they offer some high quality remanufactured wheels.

 

[Dyoel182]

I've worked with them twice and was pleased both times. Of course looking back it would have been a great chance to snag four inexpensive lightweight Kosei rims and keep a full sized spare.

 

[Smalls]

jb weld ftw

 

[Pugulis]

jb weld ftw

And some duct tape.

 

[ZomzSVT]

Well all the wheels I looked at in yards where straight and not dented/cracked but the face was curbed or scuffed or scratched or a combination of those.

To be honest, JB Weld did cross my mind... I have a TIG though and have some experience welding aluminum. The damage is to the inside, so I may give welding it myself a try. Whats the worse that can happen, buy a reman wheel anyway...

Another question, does anyone know how wheel repair people straighten a dented lip? Is it just a heat n' beat process?

 

[Dyoel182]

Another question, does anyone know how wheel repair people straighten a dented lip? Is it just a heat n' beat process?

Probably depends on the wheel. I know on my lightweight Rx7 rim the process involved spinning it while hot and rolling it against a tool. They also filled in the rash marks, ground them smooth again, repainted and polished it.

 

[Pugulis]

OK here's the deal. You can't weld or for that matter repair a cast aluminum wheel that has a crack in it. The best you can hope to do is patch it for a very temp fix. Some people may think they had their rims fixed, but usually the rim they have is a 2 piece where the bead is forged and the inner part is cast. Or for that matter the whole rim is forged.

 

[ZomzSVT]

Update: Had my brother go down to the shop he works at today to pull the tire. Opened up the crack a little with a small carbide, and welded it up. I know it's not a good idea, and probably is no way permanent. (Also, I know you "can't" weld cast.. but in a crunch I have several times in the past including a cast aluminum kicker on my pit bike which is still holding up great.) Anyway, spent about an hour total. Couldn't really tell I even touched it. But I decided it isn't worth it to have to deal with it leaking again in a week, and possibly something even worse happening. Ordered a OEM reman w/ warrenty for little over a $100 shipped. Can't beat it.

Pugulis, I never thought about the wheels they talk about repairing cracks in would be a forged wheel, rather than cast. I guess in most situations (including mine) it's cheaper to just replace a cast wheel rather than try and do a shady repair job. I'm sure it's much safer, as well. Don't need a chunk popping off the lip and causing a blow out on her...

Thanks for the input guys...

 

[marvinstockman]

Funny, I had the exact same crack. I was in a hurry so I had it welded, but I had to give it back to the shop three times because each time it had a slow leak at the bead.

Finally, they got it repaired, but I also decided it was stupid and I got two replacement wheels. It's been six months and my new (used) wheels are still sitting in my garage, but I still do plan on changing out the welded wheel.

 

[Big Jim]

Update: Had my brother go down to the shop he works at today to pull the tire. Opened up the crack a little with a small carbide, and welded it up. I know it's not a good idea, and probably is no way permanent. (Also, I know you "can't" weld cast.. but in a crunch I have several times in the past including a cast aluminum kicker on my pit bike which is still holding up great.) Anyway, spent about an hour total. Couldn't really tell I even touched it. But I decided it isn't worth it to have to deal with it leaking again in a week, and possibly something even worse happening. Ordered a OEM reman w/ warrenty for little over a $100 shipped. Can't beat it.

Pugulis, I never thought about the wheels they talk about repairing cracks in would be a forged wheel, rather than cast. I guess in most situations (including mine) it's cheaper to just replace a cast wheel rather than try and do a shady repair job. I'm sure it's much safer, as well. Don't need a chunk popping off the lip and causing a blow out on her...

Thanks for the input guys...

You certainly can weld a casting, both iron and aluminum. I call on foundries that repair some of their castings by welding and grinding.

That said, I would just buy another wheel. If you don't know what you are doing and don't do it right there is still some risk. For what little a used wheel costs, I wouldn't take a chance. Its really ugly when an aluminum wheel comes apart.