Can a buckled alloy wheel be straightened?

ferry

On my Mondeo I cant get my front wheels balanced properly as they are both slightly buckled.
Only really notice over 60mph but I do a fair bit on motorways

Is it possible to get these back straight using one of these alloy wheel refurb places?

Thanks as usual
F

missile

It can be done, but I would not do it.

TrickyWicky

Yes, some places can put them back into shape but what you need to remember is that the wheel will never be as strong as it once was. It'll be ok as a spare for an emergency though.

Best thing to do is hit ebay, find a car with your wheels being broken and grab them.

forgotmyname

I spotted some nice alloys for sale recently need tidying up was a bit of an understatement.

One was cracked so badly i think the scrap man would look and think what on earth is that.

You can get a budget brand alloy for similar prices oit costs to refurbish some alloys.
And at least you know there are nothidden dangers in them. Unless you damage them of course.

I prefer good old fashioned steel wheels.

TrickyWicky

forgotmyname wrote: »

I prefer good old fashioned steel wheels.

I dunno some older alloys are rock solid. Those which have the normal size tyres are good but its the new ones with these slim / low profile tyres that are crap. They just can't hack the state of British roads.

Also a lot of alloys now are made from recycled metals and it seems that recycled metals don't always stand up to the stresses and strains of the roads like the older ones.

s_b

needs inspecting as sometimes a quick welly with a proper rubber hammer can just sort it but experience is the key:)

i didnt realise our roads were littered with buckled alloy wheels made out of any old rubbish though
i do know that a few years back aftermarket imported alloys from dubious sources were as good as dustbin lids would be though

red_eye

alloy snaps before it brakes, steel bends before it brakes. the more you bend the weaker it will be the grain structure will be ununiform, unless done in a molten state but then you will be better off buying a new set.

bottom line dont do it there are people that will do it but unless they have a good understanding of metallurgy which I doubt.

red_eye

TrickyWicky wrote: »

I dunno some older alloys are rock solid. Those which have the normal size tyres are good but its the new ones with these slim / low profile tyres that are crap. They just can't hack the state of British roads.

Also a lot of alloys now are made from recycled metals and it seems that recycled metals don't always stand up to the stresses and strains of the roads like the older ones.

all aluminium is recycled and has been since forever this is not an issue as it is pure aluminium that is extracted the crap (slag and dross) rises to the top and scraped off.

The issue comes down to how it is cast what type of cast.
A good cast will produce a good wheel any of the big name aftermarket like BBS and ATS will have good casts vehicle manufactures use them. wheels from halfords they are junk

If you want the ultimate wheel billet is the way. the wheel is machined from solid aluminium block but at a cost

colino

Phone around a few local alloy wheel refurbishers, most either fix them or know a man who can. Alternatively, you can try swapping the front wheels with the backs as out of balance wheels are often less of an issue when on the back.

Wig

red_eye wrote: »

alloy snaps before it breaks

Sorry....... What?

Tetley_the_Cat

It is not a good idea to refurbish any wheel. Steel wheels are more forgiving but alloys need to go to people who know and understand what they are doing. By straightening a wheel you change the mechanical properties of the metal structure in the affected area so overall the wheel will be weak in that spot. You can get them sorted by all means but would I drive on one..........er no. Use as a get you home spare is acceptable but no more than that. The same goes for paint refurbishment. One has to be carefull that the repaint bake temp does not go over (130degrees is standard) a set temp fot the base metal as it will anneal and thus will not have the same weight loading certification. Upshot is, if you bend an alloy wheel then it's in reality scrap, a steel should be used as a spare.