Bent Wheel

[Bolsom]

I was driving round a bend at about 60 when I hit something on the road. The tyre was immediately deflated although control was no problem. I have put a bend in the wheel rim which is about 1/2 inch deep and the contour now slopes back to normal after about 2 1/2
inches on either side. Can anyone tell me if this is likely to be repairable please?
There are no cracks in the wheel, its a bit like me, just bent out of shape. I had to run with it for about 3 miles to get home as the
spare was very soft, having never been used in 19 years. I kept the speed at about 20MPH but the tyre looks cooked on one side.
When putting the 'get you home' spare on today I noticed its size was 14inch. Is this standard, and if so why?
I went back in the Focus but was unable to find anything in the road to account for it. I suppose I should count myself lucky that
the front suspension looks OK.

Colin
Posting now in need help section.

[madbilly]

Well, I don't know if anyone got back to you Colin, but I unfortunately now have a similar problem. I carelessly hit a protruding curb and have dented and scraped the rim of the LF wheel, see picture:

bent wheel 1.jpg

bent wheel 2.jpg

Does it look repairable?

[Rambo]

Surprised your tyre has stayed inflated

You might want to inspect the sidewall of your tyre as well. The rubber looks like it has been damaged and the strength of the sidewall may have been compromised.

[steve matthews]

My experience has been that the machine that straightens works on the outer and inner rim.
The center flat part they can not fix. But I would still try and ask.
Steve

[madbilly]

The pressure's 24psi, so I suspect it lost a little air but obviously not much. Very lucky to stay inflated.

Here's a couple more pics. There's a very small cut in the tyre where it "faces" the rim, apart from that it looks nothing more than scuffed but of course the sidewall could be a bit knackered inside - won't be able to tell without taking it off.

bent wheel 3.jpg

bent wheel 4.jpg

The steering, ride, etc, was fine on the way home, so I think the suspension should be okay but of course I''ll take a look when the wheel's off.

I might as well have all four done while I'm at it, which means I need another pair of axle stands. Anyone know a good, thorough wheel repairer/refurbisher in Glos, preferable near Cheltenham? I want a good long-lasting job done.

Cheers,
Will

[madbilly]

I took them to Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists in Tewkesbury, they think the one I dinged will probably crack when they try and repair it and the wheel is also quite buckled. They put the rest on the wheel balancing machine and two were slightly bent but fixable and the last one was oval!

Given that two of the wheels are probably knackered I really need to find two straight wheels. Anyone?