Your tires and wheels are the unsung heroes of your car. They’re “where the rubber meets the road” – literally. When it comes to used car maintenance and repair, your wheels and tires may not be the first thing that you think about.
However, a bent or damaged wheel can be very dangerous, and expensive. Bent rims can pinch and pop your tires, leading to blowouts. They can also cause mechanical issues, and problems with the handling and control of your vehicle, which can lead to dangerous situations.
Not sure how to identify or diagnose a bent or buckled alloy wheel? Here are the top 4 signs that your rim may be bent, and that your wheel should be repaired. Let’s get started.
1. Vibration and shakiness when steering
One of the most obvious signs of a bent rim is shakiness and vibration that gets transmitted up the steering column. When a rim is bent and damaged, it will cause your tire to make uneven contact with the surface of the road.
In turn, this leads to “shakiness” and vibration when you’re driving. Shakiness in the front, such as the steering column, is a sign that your front rim is bent and buckled, while vibration in your seat or farther behind your vehicle may indicate that your rear rim has been damaged and bent.
2. Your car isn’t handling the way it used to
A buckled alloy wheel can lead to issues with your tire pressure and other problems, and significantly impact the steering and performance of your vehicle. If your car feels “slushy” or like you cannot control it properly, you may have a bent rim. Do a quick visual inspection, and give us a call on 0161 50 50 592 to have it checked out as soon as possible.
3. There is visible damage to your wheel
Wheel damage is usually obvious, but if you have large metal or plastic hubcaps, you may not b able to easily detect damage to your wheel. It should be quite easy to remove your hubcaps, and examine your tire and wheel to see if there is any damage.
Once the hubcap has been removed, look all around each one of your tires, to see if there are any areas where there is obvious damage or deformation to your wheel. If there is, it needs to be repaired and straightened, or replaced if there is serious damage.
4. Your tire keeps deflating
Your wheel is designed to fit flush against your tire. When the wheel is bent and pulls away from the tire, it can cause air leaks, or even press against the rubber and cause a flat.
If your tire is deflating quickly, and you find yourself filling it up every few days or weeks, you may have some tire damage that is causing a slow leak. If you continue driving on this tire, you could be at risk of a serious blowout, so you should get it fixed right away.
Recognise these signs and prevent damage to your vehicle!
If you continue driving on a buckled alloy, you could be putting yourself – and your vehicle – at risk. If you find that you have a damaged rim, you need to visit to Manchester Alloy Wheel Repair right away, and visit our alloy wheel repair centre in Failsworth, Manchester.
Our repair specialists can straighten out damaged alloy wheels, which is often all that is required if damage is not extensive, and only a minor bend is in the wheel. However, we recommend you bring your wheel in as more damage can occur ie further buckling or cracks maybe found in the wheel so it’s important you get the wheel checked imminently.
Don’t risk your car – or your life! Check for these signs of a bent rim, and come book in with us today. Book easily online; We look forward to seeing you soon, and repairing your damaged or bent wheels!