Slightly bent new rim

**Rockclimbersh** · 02-18-2009 07:27 AM

Hey guys,

I picked up a nail and didn't realize i leaked some air, leaviing not much cushion for my new 17 RS4 replicas. Got the nail pulled and tire patched, balanced. It vibrates like hell. So I took it back and told the tire shop guy it may not be balanced correctly. He took it back and balanced it again but told me 'yo rim is bend, it will vibrate'. After some translation, I was told it is slightly out of round. Coulda come like that from the OE wheels Ebay place I bought them from, but maybe I hit a pothole and didn't realize it was enough to bend it. Any ideas? Do I have to get a new rim or can I get it repaired. Would that even be worth it?

Thanks,
Greg

**Turn10** · 02-18-2009 07:54 AM

Pics or something, like how bad is the dent to the rim itself?

**03 silverbullet** · 02-18-2009 08:07 AM

get a hammer and make it round again

**Rockclimbersh** · 02-18-2009 08:31 AM

you can't even see it, so pics would not be worthwhile. A hammer? Riiight.

**Certified MD** · 02-18-2009 08:55 AM

I read up a bit and it is most likely the tire causing this vibration... That's usually the culprit, however & obviously, it very well could be the rim itself(not very likely if they're new).

I'd put my money on ol Jim Bob Billy Boy slapping the tire on the rim like it's a stock Nissan Sentra rim he is used to replacing...

**Rockclimbersh** · 02-18-2009 11:28 AM

How can i visually determine if my wheel is out of round to narrow down if it's tire vs. wheel? You bring a good point certified MD, I maybe shouldn't trust the guy?

**MikeWire** · 02-18-2009 02:29 PM

Get a second opinion for sure. If a wheel were out of round it would be seen on the machine with or without the tire, so a second pair of eyes would confirm the problem.

**Certified MD** · 02-18-2009 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Rockclimbersh

How can i visually determine if my wheel is out of round to narrow down if it's tire vs. wheel? You bring a good point certified MD, I maybe shouldn't trust the guy?

I'm not suggesting not to trust the guy, but I've had bad experiences with tire mounting and it usually came down to the air head that mounted them. With that, the tire was ultimately at blame.

Can you put this wheel on the....rear of the car(if not already)? and spin it...use something that you can put (pefectly steady) to the lip and/or tire to see if the actual rim has a "wobble" while spinning? Kinda of a bo-dunk way, but fast and easy explaination for you to see the obvious.

**gray6spd** · 02-18-2009 11:08 PM

Tires make a big difference and could be the problem. But I have had problems with balancing many a time, even at reputable shops.. get another opinion and go from there. You say it vibrates like hell. You would have noticed/realized a pot hole big enough to bend your rim that bad.

**Rockclimbersh** · 02-19-2009 05:26 AM

I figured I woulda noticed, too. I'm very anal retentive about the car, notice every little vibration. If i hit a pothole hard enough to bend a rim, I figure it would probably make me grit my teeth and swear alot and be constantly paranoid I bent a rim. Didn't know if it would be alot easier with a tire so low on air, though. I'll get a second opinion.