darth_linux
Well-Known Member
Picked up this set of four 15 x 7“ wheels from a 80s Fifth Avenue. Just noticed there’s a bit of a dent in one of the rims. Can it be repaired?
Repairable? Dent in wheel …
- Thread starter darth_linux
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It should be able to be straightened. If you can't do it yourself, take it to a welding shop.
darth_linux
Well-Known Member
Wouldn't a tire shop be able to do it?
carguy300
Well-Known Member
I would use torch and reshape it.
No "tire shop" has the tools or expertise to do something like that. A frame shop might, though, IF they might desire to. Looks like it's just the lip/flange, so would be probably be good to use as is, if no balance or air loss issue might arise.
Might take the wheel to a tire shop and get them to chuck it up on their balance machine to check for lateral and rim circumference run-out.
A frame shop we used to get springs built at straightened a wheel that looked worse than that. Might look for one that works on school busses, too? Not sure I would use much heat, for the same reasons that GM 6L80E torque converters fail. BUT, afterall, it is "sheet metal".
Just some thoughts,
CBODY67
Might take the wheel to a tire shop and get them to chuck it up on their balance machine to check for lateral and rim circumference run-out.
A frame shop we used to get springs built at straightened a wheel that looked worse than that. Might look for one that works on school busses, too? Not sure I would use much heat, for the same reasons that GM 6L80E torque converters fail. BUT, afterall, it is "sheet metal".
Just some thoughts,
CBODY67
darth_linux
Well-Known Member
We've got a "wheel" repair shop here in town that I"ll take it to on Monday and see what they want. I'm guessing $50 . . .
Just Carbs
Well-Known Member
Is the bead seat straight (round) when you put it on the front of the car and spin it?
cbarge
World Famous Barge in a Budget
I worked at a tire shop for over 20 years.
Yes it can be repaired but not by the shop.
Here is what YOU can do....
With a 20lb sledge hammer, lay rim flat on floor FACE UP.
You stand on the rim with dent at your butt.
Swing sledge and hit the dented lip until it it close to being round again.
IF dent pushed lip inward, Flip rim face down and pound down on dent until flush with rest of lip.
Spin rim either on a car or tire balancing machine before mounting tire to ensure it was just the lip.
Grind lip smooth and use bead sealer when mounting tire.
Strongly recommend putting weights on both sides on that rim.
Hope this helps!
darth_linux
Well-Known Member
The bead is just slightly pushed in where the dent is Probably a 16th of an inch.
cbarge
World Famous Barge in a Budget
That should be fine. Hammering on it with the sledge may help.
toybox
New Member
You know I'm an old school mechanic over 40 yrs and damage like that can be made to cosmetically look OK but unless you spin it on a balancer you really can't tell. Those rim are still very available. Get rid of it or use it for spare.
cbarge
World Famous Barge in a Budget
Oddly enough, as time flies by, those rims are getting scarce.
At least up here in my neck of the woods.
When scrap metal is high, most M bodies get crushed. The rims are heavy and worth more in scrap..
Sad but true.
My last USED set cost me 200.00 US!
Before covid, I could get them for almost next to nothing.
Just Carbs
Well-Known Member
Put it on the front of the car and rotate it with a dial indicator on the inner circumference bead seat. Correct the inner bead tire seat with a BFH. Then season the outer rim cosmetics to taste with a "big" pair of channel lock plyers, pipe wrench or monkey wrench.
Just get in there and act like you know what you're doing. Then repaint as desired and call it good.
Just get in there and act like you know what you're doing. Then repaint as desired and call it good.
darth_linux
Well-Known Member
I was gonna say, they not real available in the Pacific Northwest where I live. Cost me $150 out the door, and $30 to fix the bent rim.
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