Alignment of aluminum rims - is it worth repairing the rims? When to choose a repair?

Rim straightening is mainly applied to aluminum products. They are more susceptible to deformation due to the structure of the material and, moreover, they are often intensively exploited. It also does not help to put tires with an extremely low profile on them.

Then there is an even greater risk of damage. On the other hand, repairs are not too expensive and the wheels can usually be salvaged. In this article, you will find answers to the above questions about straightening.

Alignment of aluminum rims on wheels - what is it?

To do it right, you need a thorough knowledge and ability to work with the machines needed for repairs. It is very important to evaluate the axial curvature of the rim. In principle, they can be oriented in any direction. A dial indicator is ideal for this as it is not only very accurate but also easy to use.

After installing the rim on the shaft, it must be properly fixed so that it does not move in any direction. Otherwise, the measurements will not be reliable. The next step is to use a dial indicator and measure the deflection at a given edge. Thanks to the use of straightening machines (pneumatic) with efficient drives, deformations should be carried out in the most deformed places, both from the inside and from the top of the rim.

Alignment and welding of aluminum rims - when is the best time to buy a new set of rims?

Mostly when the damage is not too great. What does it mean? Damaged spokes and very large cracks basically make the rim unusable even after welding. Correcting deviations from the axis of more than 1 mm is also not recommended, although there will definitely be daredevils who will undertake this. Unfortunately, with the factory one you will never achieve the perfect effect and there will always be some irregularities.

On the Internet you will find materials showing "specialists" who, regardless of the consequences, cut out damaged elements and weld inserts in these places. Edge smoothing and painting complete this treatment and the bezel appears to be restored. Don't go down this path! Alignment and welding of aluminum rims with a cut of factory material greatly weakens the structure and reduces strength. Such specimens are suitable only for scrap metal.

Price per item. Is straightening steel rims cheaper than aluminum rims?

However, if your drives are being repaired, what costs do you need to be prepared for? Disk repair aluminum at a price of 7 euros per piece. Of course, you won’t pay that much in every garage, because not all malfunctions are the same, and the price tags are different. Much depends on the time taken by the worker to straighten the rim and the material from which it was made.

Steel is much cheaper to repair. You will pay less for the restoration of such disks than for aluminum ones, because usually from 3 euros and more. However, this is not all that you should be prepared for.

How much does it cost to restore a wheel?

This is an important question, because after removing the tire, it may turn out that the rim is suitable not only for straightening, but also for complete regeneration. The cost is usually around 25 euros for 4 pieces of aluminium. And this is just the beginning, because you still have to add all sorts of welds, fixes, powder coating and painting. Such complex regeneration is often completely unprofitable, with the only exception being the extremely valuable rim design and size. Then this update makes sense. In other cases, it is better to think about buying completely new or used, but simple rims.

How long does it take to repair and repair an aluminum wheel?

It must be frankly admitted that it will not last very long if its deformations, scratches and dents are small. For an experienced vulcanizer, a moment is enough to straighten such a rim. The case is lengthened, of course, when the axial deformations are greater or additional welding is involved. Of course, the number of rims needed for repair is also of great importance. Therefore, such services can take from several hours to several days.

Is it worth it to edit and repair aluminum wheels with large deformations?

Straightening, of course alloy wheels won't empty your wallet for just one piece. However, in the case of very large axial deformations, it is not worth making a decision to repair, and even a vulcanist may refuse to do so. The same is true for wheel welding, which is prohibited in Germany, for example. Thus, you must evaluate for yourself whether it makes sense at all to subject a heavily used and damaged rim to such a regeneration.