Alloy wheel repair

Jez · 5 Dec 2009 at 15:29

Hi,

Recently had a slow puncture on one corner of the S-Class, take it into a tyre place to get a puncture repair and the rim is actually cracked on the inner edge, this is where the air is leaking from.

Now, is this game over for the wheel? Or can you get cracks in alloys repaired? These are bloody expensive rims, so to replace the alloy is going to be fairly costly i think.

If you cant, anyone got a cheap AMG 19" alloy wheel going?

Clarkey · 5 Dec 2009 at 15:39

Yeah you can weld up cracks shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Jez · 5 Dec 2009 at 15:41

Oh wow, i assumed it would be game over for it. Does anybody know anywhere in Reading area who would be able to weld up alloy cracks?

Thanks clarkey

killerxx7 · 5 Dec 2009 at 15:43

yeah i had my Motobikes alloy welded after a bad crack and its been fine for half a year

Jez · 5 Dec 2009 at 15:59

Wicked

Is anyone able to recommend a place to get a quote? How much did yours cost mate?

atpbx · 5 Dec 2009 at 16:01

Wheelrite- Gosberton lincs.

Send them the wheel and it will comeback good as new.

Jez · 5 Dec 2009 at 16:20

Thanks for the recommendation, i was kind of hoping that i could just get it repaired while i wait somewhere? Or is that wishful thinking?

Fantastic that i dont need to buy a single alloy, cant find any on ebay and Merc want £1100 for them

whitecrook · 5 Dec 2009 at 16:25

How does that happen? Either you hit a pot hole at some point, or a manufacturing defect? Surely a wheel shouldn't 'just crack' ?

Scania · 5 Dec 2009 at 17:38

whitecrook said:
How does that happen? Either you hit a pot hole at some point, or a manufacturing defect? Surely a wheel shouldn't 'just crack' ?

A sudden shock loading on the rim from a pot hole or whatever, its relatively common.

Some trucks have alloy wheels, but they are especially prone to cracking.

Repair is possible, but, replacement (imo) is a wiser move.

I appreciate Jez may struggle to find a decent replacement at the local scrappys!

Surely some mercedes specialist breakers may be able to help? Alas, I know of none.

Dave L · 5 Dec 2009 at 19:13

Pristine will be able to sort you out.

allllec · 5 Dec 2009 at 19:15

http://rdautosports.co.uk/p/contact

Ask for Rob should be able to sort something out for you mate.

Jez · 5 Dec 2009 at 19:51

allllec said:
http://rdautosports.co.uk/p/contact

Ask for Rob should be able to sort something out for you mate.

Thanks for the link mate, who should i say referred me? (They are not open until monday now, so i will call them first thing) What have you had done there before out of interest?

When you say sort something out, do you mean they are likely to be happy to fix the current wheel, or do you mean to try and source another one? How much do you think they are likely to charge for a "welding up" of the rim?

Thanks again man

R420LA6X2/4MNA - You say that in your opinion you would say that it is better to replace the whole rim, why is that? Surely if "welding" alloys is a done thing then it cannot be in any way dangerous? Remember that replacing it is going to run into 4 figures quite possibly

Dave L · 5 Dec 2009 at 20:15

Can't say I'd be overly happy running around on weld repaired rims - so best to take the advice of one of the specialists above and seek their opinion.

Jez · 5 Dec 2009 at 20:17

Dave L said:
Can't say I'd be overly happy running around on weld repaired rims - so best to take the advice of one of the specialists above and seek their opinion.

Obviously i am not going to do it if it will be in any way dangerous, i am hardly a cheapskate when it comes to running my car(s). That said i am not in the business of wasting money needlessly, so if it can be repaired then obviously that is massively preferable from my point of view

jamoor · 5 Dec 2009 at 20:29

whitecrook said:
How does that happen? Either you hit a pot hole at some point, or a manufacturing defect? Surely a wheel shouldn't 'just crack' ?

BMW believe different

littledave · 5 Dec 2009 at 20:35

http://www.wheelworksuk.co.uk/

Absolute superb service from them, they got all the kit needed to repair alloys.

andi · 5 Dec 2009 at 21:06

Can't see a problem with welded rims, you're happy running on a welded chassis are you not?

Doubt you'll get it done while you wait though, its quite an involved process afaik.

[TW]Fox · 5 Dec 2009 at 21:20

Jez said:
Thanks for the recommendation, i was kind of hoping that i could just get it repaired while i wait somewhere? Or is that wishful thinking?

Fantastic that i dont need to buy a single alloy, cant find any on ebay and Merc want £1100 for them

Why are they so expensive?

An 18 inch Forged, polished Style 37 rear wheel (9 inch wide) from BMW is £432.01.

Why do Merc charge more than double for a slightly bigger wheel?

Jez · 5 Dec 2009 at 21:23

Dunno

Higher end car i guess....everything AMG is expensive. Bit like asking why a Ford Mondeo alloy is (assuming here) cheaper than a BMW one...

With any luck it wont come to a new rim anyway, and if it does i will see if i can get one from ebay or somewhere.

Firestar_3x · 5 Dec 2009 at 21:24

andi said:
Can't see a problem with welded rims, you're happy running on a welded chassis are you not?

Doubt you'll get it done while you wait though, its quite an involved process afaik.

The weld metal should be stronger than the wheel, problem comes with welding alloy, you need to be a very good welder to do a proper job, i'd want the work checked for cracks before i was happy to use it.