Does Wheel Straightening Work?
If you’re a car enthusiast or value vehicle performance, you’re probably familiar with alloy wheels. Alloy wheels are responsible for transferring the engine’s power to the road as well as improving steering ability. Simply put, your vehicle’s wheels are one of the most important parts of your car. When you hit a pothole, clip a kerb or spot handling issues, you must take note and take action. Bent wheels pose a serious safety risk as well as further damaging your vehicle. If the wheels on your vehicle are bent, you must contact a professional to complete repairs immediately. Unmatched in their performance ability and appearance, alloy wheels are a great choice and could last for up to 10 years if looked after. So, when you spot the signs of damage, you must seek repairs immediately.
With close to ten years of specialised experience, we at Alloy Logic are highly experienced within the motoring industry. We know how dangerous and irreversible the impact of alloy wheel damage can be. If you fail to identify and repair wheel damage, you could face blowouts, mechanical issues, handling problems and increased fuel consumption. So, if you’ve been asking yourself what is wheel straightening? How does it work? And what are the benefits? Read on for everything you need to know…
First things first… why do alloy wheels need wheel straightening?
Bent wheels occur when tyres take the impact of potholes, kerbs, or other hazards or after an accident. Comprising air and rubber, tyres are designed to bear the brunt of the impact, however, if the impact is harsh or severe, it can displace the rubber and air. If this happens, your wheel or rim will take the brunt of the impact instead, therefore taking structural damage such as bends. But what causes wheels to be bent?
- Kerbing
We’re all guilty of kerbing our vehicles, but sometimes kerbing can cause a little more than slight wear on tyre rubber. There are an estimated 13 million cars on the road in the UK with kerbed wheels, which means that many vehicles on the road likely have bent wheels. Depending on the angle and speed at which you clip the kerb, you could cause severe damage to the rubber and wheel or rim of your type. If you’ve kerbed your vehicle, we highly recommend inspecting for damage as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the road.
- Hitting Potholes
Records show that there are a total of between 1.2 and 1.5 million potholes across the UK – that averages out to almost two potholes per road. It should come as no surprise then, that hitting potholes is one of the most common causes of wheel damage in the UK. Hitting a pothole at any speed can severely impact the rubber and rim of your alloy wheels and could need wheel straightening to repair them. Failure to repair wheels that have been damaged by potholes can significantly affect the safety of your vehicle on the road.
How do I know if my wheels are damaged?
If you haven’t knowingly clipped a kerb or hit a pothole but have spotted a change in the way your vehicle handles, you may have wheel damage. If you notice any of the below issues, you must get your wheels looked at as soon as possible by professionals. Failure to act fast when wheel damage is a possibility could impact your vehicle’s safety, ability and performance. Driving on damaged wheels causes dangerous situations such as blowouts, mechanical issues, handling problems and increased fuel consumption. Here are some red flags to watch for that indicate wheel damage…
- Vibrating & Shaking
If your steering column or seat is vibrating or shaking, this is a key identifier of wheel damage. This occurs because of your tyre making uneven contact with the road and/or your rims being buckled. If you’ve noticed vibrating or shaking steering or seating, you must get your wheels looked at ASAP.
- Handling Problems
Any handling problems indicate an issue with your vehicle and if you’re struggling to control your vehicle or your steering feels different, you may have wheel damage. If your car isn’t handling the way that it used to, you must take your vehicle to a garage to be looked over.
- Visible Damage
When you clip a kerb or hit a pothole, you may see visible damage to your wheels such as cracks and wear. This visible damage can also manifest as wheels that don’t sit flush to the rim any longer, or buckled rims. Following an incident or if the damage isn’t instantly obvious, contact specialists ASAP.
- Deflating Tyres
Wheels are designed to fit flush against the tyre. However, if your alloy is bucked or bent it could pull away from the tyre and cause air to leak. Deflating tyres, particularly those that continuously deflate, are an obvious sign that your wheels have suffered damage.
If you’re unsure if your wheels are bent or buckled, the safest option is to take your car to a specialist to inspect them for you. The impact of alloy wheel damage can be extremely dangerous if not addressed properly, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today for more information.
So, what is alloy wheel straightening?
Alloy wheel straightening is a complex process which uses state-of-the-art machinery to heat and reform the metal on your alloy wheels. This establishes the wheel’s original shape so that it is safe to drive on once more. Get in touch with us to find out more about alloy wheel straightening.
What is the process of alloy wheel straightening?
Here at Alloy Logic, we can repair most cracks and bends; however, we are currently unable to offer this as a mobile service. We will however collect and deliver the wheels making the process as hassle-free as possible. Here’s how alloy wheel straightening works…
1. Collection
We will collect and deliver your wheels to make the process as seamless as possible.
2. Assessment
We will assess the severity of your wheel damage and inspect the wheels for any other damage that could impact the repair process.
3. Removal
We will remove the damaged tyres with care.
4. State-of-the-Art Equipment
Using our state-of-the-art alloy wheel straightening equipment, we can locate the angle of the bend. Once the bend has been located, our machinery will heat the metal
5. Wheel Straightening
Our machinery will bend the alloy wheel with precision to ensure the right and original shape, is formed.
6. Safety Checks
Once the wheel straightening process is complete, we will undertake several safety checks to ensure that your wheel is safe to drive on.
7. Refitting
Once the process is complete, we will deliver and refit your tyre back on before undertaking wheel balancing.
If you have any further questions about the wheel straightening process, please don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information!
Now the big question… Does wheel straightening work?
We can confidently say that alloy wheel straightening does work. If the structural integrity of your wheel isn’t compromised, we will be able to straighten your wheel(s) with ease! Here are some of the benefits that you and your vehicle can enjoy with alloy wheel straightening…
- Prolong Vehicle & Wheel Lifespan
Ensuring that your vehicle is properly maintained, including undertaking wheel straightening when you spot damage, is essential to the lifespan of your car. If you fail to get wheel damage repaired, you could cause further damage to your vehicle that could have been avoided by visiting alloy wheel repair specialists such as Alloy Logic.
- Secure your MOT Pass
If you’re wondering if wheel damage can cause a vehicle to fail its MOT, then the answer is yes. Wheel damage can have a knock-on effect on other components of your vehicle such as steering components and your car’s suspension. Ensure your vehicle passes its MOT by contacting an expert to straighten your wheels when necessary.
- Road Safety
Driving on damaged wheels is dangerous and poses a risk of harm to yourself, passengers, and the public. Wheel damage could cause blowouts, mechanical issues and handling problems, increased fuel consumption and more. Wheel straightening is essential when wheel damage occurs to keep you safe on the road.
- Enhanced Driving Experience
Shaky steering, handling problems, inaccurate tracking and more are signs of wheel damage. Once a professional has completed wheel straightening on your vehicle, you will see instant results and a significantly enhanced driving experience. Be sure that you are getting the most out of your vehicle and its wheels with wheel straightening.
Wheel Straightening FAQs
How much does it cost to have a wheel straightened?
The cost of wheel straightening will vary depending on the severity of damage. We also need to inspect the wheel(s) for any additional repairs that may need to be undertaken. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information.
How long does alloy wheel straightening take?
The time it takes to straighten alloy wheels will vary, however, we can typically complete theprocess on the same day that we receive your wheels. Get in touch with us today to get booked in for a repair and we’ll get you back on the road in no time.
Is it safe to drive with a bent alloy wheel?
No, it is not safe to drive with a bent alloy wheel and we advise against driving your vehicle if you think your wheels are bent. Not only is this highly dangerous, but you could cause further expensive issues to your car, wheels and steering. Furthermore, driving on damaged alloys can cause your vehicle to fail its MOT and need expensive repairs.
Will the strength of the wheel be affected by the repair?
No, alloy wheel repair and wheel straightening will not impact the strength of your wheel. The only exception to this would be if a previously straightened alloy wheel incurs further damage. Continuous damage will impact any wheel, whether straightened or not, so we recommend taking care when driving and undertaking regular maintenance and checks where possible.
Can a slightly buckled alloy wheel be repaired?
Yes, you’ll be pleased to know that whether they’re slightly or severely bent out of shape, all wheels can be straightened. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you think your wheels may need straightening.
Do I need to buy a replacement wheel if my alloy is buckled?
No, you shouldn’t need to buy a replacement wheel if your alloys are bent. We can efficiently undertake wheel straightening and get you back on the road in no time at all.
Here Are Alloy Logic’s 7 Tips For Avoiding Wheel Damage…
1. Avoid hitting kerbs and potholes on the road when driving.
2. Consider installing an alloy wheel protector kit on your vehicle.
3. Keep your alloys clean to avoid a build-up of grit, dust, and any other debris.
4. Use proprietary wheel cleaners sparingly.
5. Ensure your tyres are properly inflated.
6. If damage occurs, make sure you inspect your alloys or have a professional assess them.
7.If you suspect wheel damage, get your wheels looked at immediately.
We know that wheel damage is one of the main reasons for blowouts, mechanical issues, handling problems, increased fuel consumption and more. Whether you’ve hit a kerb too hard or have noticed that your car is handling differently, you must contact alloy wheel specialists as soon as possible. Driving on damaged or bent wheels is dangerous and poses a risk to you, your passengers, and the public. If you’re unsure if your wheels are damaged, the safest option would be to take your vehicle to a specialist to inspect them for you. Get in touch with us today for more information.
If you’d like more advice about Wheel Straightening, then get in touch with us today for our trusted advice and recommendations.
