To fix a bent rim, you’ll need to raise the car and remove the rim. Then, use heat to bend it back into shape. Make sure to check the rest of the car for hidden damage.

A mechanic should charge for about an hour’s work to complete this project, but you could feasibly repair this at home with a blow torch and the right skills.

Maybe you hit a pothole and your vehicle is now driving oddly. Or perhaps you didn’t see that speed bump. Upon examining the wheel from the outside, you see that the rim is bent. The question now is: repair or replace it?

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How to tell if your rim is bent

The major indicator of a bent rim is uneven driving. You may feel like you can’t steer straight or that your vehicle is wobbling a tiny bit on the road. Of course, these could also be symptoms of a flat tire or an alignment problem.

To confirm that the problem is a bent rim, you should do a visual examination. The bend should be visible in the wheel rim. Keep in mind that the bend may be in the inner portion (i.e., not visible from the outside).

Go to a mechanic if you suspect a bent rim, are experiencing uneven driving, and cannot see anything after a quick visual inspection.

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Can a bent rim be fixed?

Yes, a bent rim can be fixed! You will need some specialty tools to repair it, however. In some cases, it’s better to replace the entire rim and tire (or set of tires).

You should get this repair done as soon as possible since the consequences of a bent rim can be serious. A bent rim can lead to wheel damage, improper alignment, damage to the suspension system, and interference with the axles and driveshaft—all of which means more expensive

car repairs

How to fix a bent rim

Ready for some good news? It’s a pretty straightforward process to fix a bent rim—if you have the proper tools and training.

The best technique is to use heat applied from the inside to bend the rim back into shape. Do not accept the cold roller press method. Reputable mechanics reject this technique because it tends to weaken the rim by beating it cold.

If you have the tools in your workshop, you might be able to fix a bent rim yourself. Otherwise, a mechanic should charge you for about an hour’s work to fix your rims—around $100.

Tools

You will need a hydraulic jack, lifts, and blocks to lift the car to get safe access to the rims. Make sure you have the proper tool to remove the lug nuts on your vehicle.

Then, you will need protective gear, a mallet, a blow torch, a pry bar, and flat wood to hammer the rim back into shape.

Finally, you will need an air compressor, soapy water, and a sponge to test the tire for additional damage before reinstalling the rim.

Steps

Start by removing the tire and put the car on jack stands on the side with the bent rim. Remember to stabilize the vehicle by blocking the tires. Take off the lug nuts and pull the rim and tire off. You may need to use a pry bar here to separate the rim from the tire.

Now, you’re ready to fix the bent rim. Put on your protective gear. Use the blow torch to heat the bent rim. Spend about two minutes on each dent and see how well the material responds.

Use your mallet to bang the heated section back into its proper shape. You can use the flat wood to reinforce the rim if your mallet is leaving marks.

Allow the metal to cool, and you’re ready to put the tire back on the rim. But first, inflate the tires to their proper PSI and use your soapy water mix to confirm that there are no leaks in your tire. Do this by sponging soapy water into the space between the tire and rim and looking for bubbles.

If all is well, reinstall the tire and tighten the lug nuts properly.

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How to fix alloy rim scratches

How much do new rims cost?

The cost depends on the make and model of your vehicle. You’ll pay more if your vehicle has modifications or if you own a luxury brand.

Materials impact cost. Chrome rims cost about $100, for example, whereas steel rims cost about $30 each.

Note that tires and rims are usually sold as a set. If you have a damaged rim, you may have to replace the tire, too. Experts recommend that you buy tires as a set rather than buying them separately.

Going to an auto body shop vs. dealership

If you need expert help, where should you go to get help with a bent rim?

Body shops are usually more affordable than repairs at a dealership. With a body shop, there’s no middleman, and you negotiate with the mechanic directly. However, choose your mechanic carefully by reading customer reviews and checking their Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings.

Because dealerships charge, it may not be worth going to a dealer for a simple job like a bent rim. However, if the impact was serious enough (or the damage was intense), then you may need a certified professional to examine the problem—which you can find through a dealership.

One benefit of dealerships is that they charge by the job and not by the hour, so you know what to expect in terms of pricing. Plus, dealerships can usually offer you a temporary car to get around if they need to keep your vehicle longer than a day.

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How to determine the retail value of your used car

What do if you decide not to fix the rims

If you have a bent rim that has caused serious damage to your vehicle—or if your car is simply so old that it’s not worth investing in the repairs—you still have some options to make some cash from your vehicle. If the car is truly a lost cause, you can always donate it.

Sell your car online

Online bulletin boards and automotive sale websites are great places to list your car. The latter may charge listing fees. Keep in mind that cars with bent rims may not attract a ton of interested buyers, so price your car accordingly. You may get bids of interest for parts.

Use your car as a trade-in

Some dealerships may offer you credit towards a trade-in if you want to turn over your damaged vehicle for another one. Read the paperwork carefully and note that the value you’ll receive for a damaged vehicle is unlikely to cover the full cost of a safe, new car.

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