[metalhawk]

While driving on a sharp turn, I hit my front wheel in a pothole :wall: The rim (19") got bent and Audi told me to go fix it at a specialist, rather than to change it.

What go you think, is it gonna be safe? I usually drive quite fast and I am now in a dilemma. Of course fixing it will be MUCH cheaper than buying a new one (I could be facing 500 Euros/~410 GBP for a new one)

But, safety first! Should I listen to Audi or just order a new one?

Thnks in advance

 

[Mulski]

Can you post a pic?

Cheers

 

[RS5ive]

I'd be inclined to take it to a wheel repair specialist in the first instance and ask for their diagnosis. Generally speaking, if the wheel's not actually cracked, they can be safely straightened and if you use a reputable company, I wouldn't have any doubts going forward (or back, indeed).

Personally though, wheels and tyres is an area that I'll never cut corners 9no pun intended) on - and if I did have any doubts in my mind, I'd regard £400 as relatively small investment for my future peace of mind - and well-being.

 

[3F3F]

^^ That plus the A5 has one of the most sensitive suspensions on the market. Even the slightest wheel imbalance will cause vibrations. I wouldn't even be bothered going to repair shop and order a new one straight away.

 

[zee007]

+1 to the gents above. I'd get a new rim rather than trying to fix. Just not worth the gamble.

 

[Mark]

Whilst having no experience of such things, I'd have thought that if such a specialist "wheel straightening" service exists AND are recommended by Audi, it would be logical to assume that they would do a competent and an "as good as new" repair.

It would seem equally logical to assume that if the impact against the pothole was severe enough to bend a rim AND the suspension geometry on an A5 is as sensitive as has been mentioned above, it's very possible that this would need some attention as well.

 

[1000songs]

Cheapest option - move that rim to the back. If it's not badly bent and is just slightly off true, you may not feel anything at all.

Next cheapest option - have the wheel trued up at a wheel specialist. I highly doubt you need a new rim. Your fast driving really isn't an issue.

 

[speary]

Whatever you do with the wheel, you MUST replace the tyre, even if you cant see any damage, it is very likely that crushing it between the rim and the pot hole will have done internal damage. the thing with a damaged tyre is that you wont know until it fails :yikes:. As for the wheel, take the advice of the experts. Dont take chances

 

[RS5ive]

^ +1 - good point.

 

[crisp74]

Cheapest option - move that rim to the back. If it's not badly bent and is just slightly off true, you may not feel anything at all.

Next cheapest option - have the wheel trued up at a wheel specialist. I highly doubt you need a new rim. Your fast driving really isn't an issue.

^ +1
this is from personal experience. i live in nyc and denting wheels is a given here (god how i wish for texas or florida roads). have it fixed and moved to the rear. it should work just fine. there is the off chance that even with a fix it will be off and in that case you'll only be out on a $100 or so in addition to the price of the new wheel. btw, if you live in the states, go to wheelcollision.com and you may be able to get a like new wheel for a fraction of the dealer cost. i know about this from personal experience too as someone stole all four wheels off my g37 in front of my house last week :no:.

as for the tire, i've reused the tires on bent wheels without a problem. they have to be remounted anyway, so the guy at the shop will let you know if they are still good to go. if you buy a new tire, measure the remaining tread on the tires still on you car. order from tirerack (if you're in the states) and ask them to shave off the tread on your new tire so it matches the old ones (believe it or not, they will do it for you). i know it seems silly to "wear out" a new tire, but having different tread depths on your tires can really throw off the handling on your car.

this is not directed at you specifically as i know you have stock wheels, but if you live or frequently drive to places where you know there is a big chance of denting a wheel, try to be more conservative with the wheel diameter and sidewall and maybe buy cheaper wheels. i considered 20" hres for the s5, but stayed with 19" cast wheels from petrol on 35 sidewall tires to save me the heartache of denting a 1500+ wheel.

 

[crisp74]

here's another angle for those who want a good laugh. those bastards took a rock from my neighbor's landscaping to prop up the car! :no: guess that's what happens when you leave your car in the same spot for two weeks in a row...

 

[NYS5]

I recently got all 4 of my wheels straightened as they were slightly bent from potholes. Any experienced wheel specialist will look at the wheel and can tell whether or not it can be safely straightened.

Look at it this way, if they perform a wheel repair that fails at some point in the future they can be held liable. If there is any chance that they cannot safely repair they wheel they won't. I'm doing just fine no vibrations or shimmy at all, just use an experienced wheel specialist

 

[Mark]

Interesting how opinion is divided according to where the posters on this thread come from!

UK guys: buy a new wheel and don't risk it
US/Canada Guys: fix the wheel (and one or two have personally done just that)

 

[1000songs]

Not only that, but I simply put my slightly bent rim on the rear for now. 99% improvement.

 

[metalhawk]

Thank you all for the replies! Unfortunately everyone's on holiday here this week (like the 15th of August of every year) so next week I will go down to the place that they do the repairs and get their opinion on the rim's state too.

I will also be able to take some pics and post here

In general I am now leaning towards changing both the rim and the tyre just to be sure - I shall wait for the repair shop's opinion too though to make a final judgement.

In general, the various ideas here helped, even if some say to change it and some not to, since I now realize that this is quite a common issue! It's up to a personal judgement in the end I guess.. I 'll let you know soon then on what I shall decide

Thnks again :2thumbsup:

 

[chrischr]

Hey metalhawkhttp://www.a5oc.com/forums/members/metalhawk.html,

How did you sort it out in the end?

I was wondering if we even had a wheel specialist in Cyprus. I have some scratches on my wheels and was wondering if there is somebody on the island competent enough to refinish them.

 

[NateS]

You guys seem a bit paranoid. A professional wheel shop will tell you if they can fix it and will tell you if you need to replace the rubber. I would go with their opinion.

I had a 19" rim fixed once, but it was just a minor bend on the lip.

 

[awol]

I agree with NateS, professional wheel repair shops can easily tell you if it is safe and possible to fix it or not. I got a very good on where many of my friends go and result is always good and never heard any problems. Just dont go to a tyre shop, but go to a real specialized wheel repair shop.

After damaging two of my 19" Y-spoke original Audi A5 Speedline wheels my painter doesnt seem to get the colour of the wheels right. It is such a difficult colour. Anyone knows what the exact colourcode of these A5 19" Y spoke wheels is? Or where to find it? Ill put this question in a seperate topic as well hoping Ill get the code for the right colour.

 

[ba5]

Buckled Alloy help

Hi All, I am new here so not sure if I am doing the correct way but wanted to ask for some guidance.

I have 20 inch Audi alloys on my A5 and I bent them by hitting a kerb at 20mph, don't ask how:crying: and

I had them repaired by a welder who I thought did a good job as before they were bucked side to side but took them to a mechanic who did my cam belt and he said they are still bucked but it is now safe as it is only bent and going up and down.

The car is vibrating and I want to get them repaired or buy a new alloy but can't find any second hand ones.

Does anyone have a spare 7 spoke 20 inch alloy code 9jx20h2et29?

Or know anyone who can fix it properly in Yorkshire or London or South East or in England lol?

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[Eamonn]

Hi All, I am new here so not sure if I am doing the correct way but wanted to ask for some guidance.

I have 20 inch Audi alloys on my A5 and I bent them by hitting a kerb at 20mph, don't ask how:crying: and

I had them repaired by a welder who I thought did a good job as before they were bucked side to side but took them to a mechanic who did my cam belt and he said they are still bucked but it is now safe as it is only bent and going up and down.

The car is vibrating and I want to get them repaired or buy a new alloy but can't find any second hand ones.

Does anyone have a spare 7 spoke 20 inch alloy code 9jx20h2et29?

Or know anyone who can fix it properly in Yorkshire or London or South East or in England lol?

Thanks

Pristine wheels in Woburn seem to be very highly rated for wheel fixing. If they can't fix it, it's probably past the point of no return.