Maybe you had a tire that kept deflating, or your steering wheel was vibrating. Perhaps your car suddenly began to feel wobbly or started pulling to one side. So, you brought your car to the mechanic, and they diagnosed the problem a bent wheel rim. Now what?
Repair or Replace?
Doing nothing and hoping for the best is not an option. Bent rims can create a dangerous situation. Your rims maintain the air pressure in your tires and hold them in place. As such, a bent rim can cause tires to lose pressure or rotate unevenly and make it difficult to balance the tires. They can even cause blowouts. Further, even if your tire survives, bent rims can cause shaking and vibration that may damage other parts of your car.
Depending on the extent of the damage and type of wheel, a repair could be an option. Small dents and cosmetic damage may not require replacement, but where safety is concerned, it’s important not to skimp. A cracked or badly dented rim can affect the structural integrity of the entire wheel, even causing it to break apart eventually. Ask your mechanic to inspect the entire wheel with the tire off to determine the extent of the damage and make a recommendation about what to do next. You may discover that repair costs nearly as much as a replacement. Badly damaged wheels a mechanic repaired simply aren’t in the same condition of strength and structural soundness as they are when new.
Replacement Wheels – New or Used?
You decided to stay on the safe side and replace the wheel with the bent rim. Now you must choose what type of replacement to buy. There are generally two types of replacement wheels: OEM or “aftermarket.”
“OEM” means “original equipment manufacturer.” The same manufacturer that made your original rims will create an OEM wheel that specifically suits your make and model of car. “Aftermarket” wheels are more generic, and while they may be close, they won’t be identical to your original rims. Then there are wheels called “take-offs,” which are a car’s original wheels that a professional took off a vehicle to sell in a secondary market. These may appear on online auction and sale sites, or even at local stores.
Safety must be your first consideration when replacing wheels. If your wheels aren’t sound, your vehicle, and maybe your life, are at risk. “Aftermarket” wheels, while cheaper, may not look as good or perform as well or as long as OEM replacement wheels. It’s best to invest in a new option made to fit the exact specifications of your particular type of car. The extra cost of OEM wheels is an investment that will pay off in durability for your car and peace of mind for you.
