Can Bent / Buckled Rims Be Fixed ?

Mark W · January 27, 2009

Rims I have (Lexus original) have seen better days and need a good refurb......however, a couple of them are definitely buckled and are close to impossible to balance (just manageable).

Before paying to get them to look nice and shiny/unscuffed again I wanted to double check if its possible to fix the buckle or is it the case that they are now buckled for life? If they can be fixed, great - I'll get them refurbed but if not may well save the money up and wait for a new set.

Also, assuming its possible - what sort of money we talking?

Cheers as always.

Hando · January 27, 2009

There's a difference between buckled a flatspotted.

I had some badly flatspotted 18" wheels hotrolled and refurbed at wim for £50 a piece.

If you can get to wim take them in and they'll give you an honest opinion on whether they can be fixed.

Don't get them refurbed before they're fixed though - get it done at the same time.

aido · January 27, 2009

Have you got a picture mate?

One of mine had a big dent in it, took it to the tyre place and they bashed most of it out, it's been perfectly fine, never dropped any pressure or anything!

If it's cracked then that probably is unfixable though?

Saying that I'm just waiting until it gets a bit dryer and warmer before I probably replace them all around summer time myself anyway!

Parthiban · January 27, 2009

Mine looked like this and WIM fixed them for me :)

Yep if it's cracked then it's either not repairable, or the cost would make it pointless. Also depends if the wheel is actually warped, i.e. if a spoke is bent then it's also most likely not repairable.

Mark W · January 27, 2009

Cheers for the replies ......What the hell happened to your wheels to get like that Parthiban?

No visible warp to naked eye - Ive just been told by various balancers that the rims are very buckled and theres a fair few weights on my wheels when theyve been balanced.

Looks like a visit to WIM on the cards.

Steviewevie · January 27, 2009

WIM have got a very good wheel-balancing machine, which can tell them all sorts of stuff about your wheels. Highly recommended.

Hando · January 27, 2009

Cheers for the replies ......What the hell happened to your wheels to get like that Parthiban?
No visible warp to naked eye - Ive just been told by various balancers that the rims are very buckled and theres a fair few weights on my wheels when theyve been balanced.

Looks like a visit to WIM on the cards.

If there's no visible warp-age (or fractures) then you'll have no probs getting them fixed. parthiban's rims are technically flat-spotted (same as mine were) - buckled rims are worse (as I understand it).