Replace or repair the rim?
 

hi all,


quick question as this is the first time I've ever had to deal with this type of situation. I just got back from discount tire to have them check out my wheels/tires on a bad vibration I get when I hit 80+mph

turns out the front left rim is ever so slightly bent. Cant notice it during normal driving, but still

My question is, the options I have are to have it sent off and repaired for $125 dollars, or have them ship down a "used" rim for $250 dollars. Obviously the cheaper the better but can I trust them to repair this rim and have it be exacly like new?

I put up a post here:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...56#post1306056
to see if anyone happens to have a good 18" lying around.

Seeing as how ive never gone thru anything like this i was just wondering the "best" option.

Thanks!
Jeff

I'd buy a used one from someone who is upgrading their rims.

Keep the damaged one as a short-term full sized spare tire.

I'd check with a shop that does this sort of repair. they would be the ones to know whether or not it can be repaired. i personally, wouldn't take discount tire's (or any tire shop) word for it. i'd look up a local company that specializes in this and take the car to them and have them look at it.

if there's not one in the area, i'd look through the FS section (where you posted your WTB). there is usually some stock rims for sale in there. also maybe check out craigslist.

don't let anyone repair your rim that isn't a pro and that doesn't give you a bombproof warranty (if it can be repaired at all). Personally I'd go with a used rim over a repair, but I like the idea of the spare too.

I would hesitate having the bent rim straightened and possibly staking my life on it. The material these rims are made of seems to be pretty brittle (based on some threads with images) and not particularly suitable for bending--i.e., not maleable. Check out eBay for a rim, although with any used rim, you may get one that is worse than your bent one.

i must have missed something. the only broken rx8 rims i've seen have been involved in accidents.

That's what I'm referring to. They crack and break, apparently pretty easily, vs. bending as a steel rim would under the same circumstance. So I would be wary of "rebending" the wheel back into shape when this material is not particularly maleable.

well as I understand it talking to the shop guy, they said they heat the rim up to a pretty hot temperatore to make it more mallable, and we are talking about the every so slighest of bends. the wheel looks 100% round, feels 100% round during everyday driving , even on highway use. but when i want to "play" with the car, and get up to 90ish, is when I can feel it.