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Car accidents, rocky roads, and driving mishaps can all leave you with bent wheels or rims. This can create poor fuel economy, bumpy driving, uncontrollable wheels, and more severe vehicle troubles when left untreated. So should you get your bent rims repaired or replaced? Thankfully, most bent rims can (and should) be repaired; however, there are also reasons you may opt for replacement. Here is a closer look at bent wheel/rim repair vs. replacement.
You might be wondering, “Can bent rims be straightened?” The short answer is often yes—bent wheels/rims can almost always be repaired with professional-grade tools and expertise. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might opt for rim repairs instead of replacement:
The primary reason many drivers choose rim repair is the cost savings this service provides. With rim replacement, you have to pay for both the new rim and the installation. Rim repair is more affordable with a flat service fee—while providing the same great results.
When you need a rim replacement, your mechanic may need to order a new rim that fits your vehicle. It may be several days before your new rim arrives at the shop. Conversely, rim repair can often be completed within a day. This provides enhanced convenience and quicker service to get you back on the road.
Our mechanics are big on automotive sustainability (from our rooftop garden to our hybrid loaner cars). One substantial element of this sustainability is avoiding unnecessary part replacement. When you repair a viable bent rim instead of replacing it, you prevent that metal from going to waste. This option is often good for your vehicle, wallet, and the planet.
While rim repair is suitable for most vehicles, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Let’s take a look at some circumstances that favor rim replacement:
When rims are slightly bent, they can almost certainly be repaired. However, more extensive damage is a different situation. When your rims are severely bent out of shape, they are probably beyond repair. In this case, rim replacement may be your only option.
Have you been considering custom wheel or rim upgrades? In this case, it might be worth paying for replacement rather than having your old rims repaired. You can customize your car by choosing a rim color, style, and material that meets your aesthetic.
Are you in need of rim repair or replacement services? Chapel Hill Tire is here for you! Our mechanics offer rim repair services to drivers throughout the greater Triangle area. You can visit any of our 9 locations across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Apex to get industry-leading rim service. Make your appointment here online, or visit your nearest Chapel Hill Tire auto mechanic shop to get started today!
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You will understand the importance of replacing rims to your car if you fully understand the purpose of the rims itself. Rims are very important elements in the vehicle’s movement and operation and gas a variety of significance.
Why is it important to get proper rims?
Car rims are modified in such a way that they are attached to the tire and in this way, it keeps the rubber tire intact. This can only work if the rim and the tire are fitting perfectly. There are several rims in the market and for them to fit perfectly on your tire; you’ll have to consider their sizes. Fitting the best size rim to your tire brands causes the tube to stay tight and intact.
It’s not obvious knowledge that rims reduce friction when the car is in motion. The rim is also important to support the weight of the car. Besides, have you ever imagined what a car would be like without a rim? There are several types of rim ranging from the heaviest or the largest to the very smallest ones used by the smallest vehicles.
Basically, the size of the rim depends on the weight of the vehicle. The larger the vehicle, the larger the size of rims you will require. This is because large vehicles impact more weight on the rim and the pavement in order to provide leverage. The wheel magnifies this force impacted by the vehicle and in this manner, leverage is enhanced.
Quality vs. Quantity
When replacing the rims of your car, you should go for the quality rims. This means the type and weight of material used in making the rim. Rims that are heavy are known to last longer since they are stronger. On the other hand, there are some rims that are lightweight but they also last long depending in the type of material used in its making.
Some of the materials used in making the rims are steel, carbon fiber and aluminum. Most people consider price when going for their desired rims and end up with the steel rims. This is because the steel rims are more affordable and are easily found in the market.
On the other hand, the people who go for aluminum rims can tell you that this kind of rims are stylish and durable. The carbon fiber is the latest invention, they are lightweight and durable. Have you ever driven on bumpy road and felt how uncomfortable it was? Imagine driving a car with a bent rim and you are bouncing on your sit every time that rim spins.
In this situation, replacing the rim is not necessary because that is not a huge problem as it may seem. You can drive to your mechanic and he will have your rim replaced.
When to replace
Rims are as important as any other car part in automobiles. Therefore, should also be checked regularly to make sure they are in a better working condition always. In this section we are looking at some the things that will help you know when to do some replacement.
Finding cracks or broken edges on the rim is one signal that should not be overlooked. This kind of problem requires immediate replacement. This because they might end up damaging the wheel and can results into unprecedented effects in return. This kind of problem usually results when driving your car while the tires are deflated maybe without you noticing.
Hitting hard substances while driving like the potholes, often damages the rim by causing cracks or bending. Some dealers or specialized will tell you it’s important to replace the rim plus auto parts the gear transmission and the speedometer. This is so as to enable you to read the actual speed during your drive.