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Potholes, road impacts and everyday driving can damage alloy wheels. A crack or buckle may cause a tyre to lose pressure, create vibration or affect how the vehicle drives.

If you suspect a wheel is damaged, do not ignore it. Stop driving if the tyre is losing pressure rapidly, the damage is severe or the vehicle feels unsafe. Arrange an inspection and, if necessary, recovery rather than risking further damage.

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Cracked alloy wheel repairs and welding

​We carefully assess each damaged wheel to determine whether the crack can be safely and effectively repaired. Where welding is appropriate, the damaged area is thoroughly cleaned and prepared before being repaired by an experienced, professional aluminium welder, using specialist techniques and carefully controlled heat to ensure a strong, precise repair while minimising distortion to the wheel.

Once welding is complete, the repaired area is finished and thoroughly inspected to check the quality and integrity of the repair. The wheel is then checked for air tightness before the tyre is refitted, ensuring it is suitable to be returned to service.

Not every cracked wheel can be safely repaired. The position, extent and nature of the damage, the wheel’s construction and any previous repairs are all taken into consideration. If we believe a wheel is unsuitable for repair, we’ll always explain why and recommend the safest course of action rather than carry out work that could compromise your safety.

 

Signs your alloy wheel may be cracked

• Repeated or unexplained loss of tyre pressure.

• A slow puncture that cannot be traced to the tyre.

• Visible damage or a crack on the wheel.

• Vibration or changes in how the vehicle feels.

 

Buckled alloy wheel straightening

A pothole or impact can deform the rim and leave the wheel out of round. This may cause vibration, steering judder or difficulty maintaining tyre pressure.

We assess the wheel to determine whether it can be straightened. Where appropriate, specialist equipment is used to carefully bring the affected area back towards its correct shape. The wheel is checked after the work. Some damage is too severe to repair, and in those cases replacement may be the only sensible option.

 

How wheel straightening works

The tyre is removed so the wheel can be inspected and the damaged area identified.

The wheel is mounted on specialist straightening equipment.The affected area is corrected in a controlled manner, with checks made throughout the process.

The wheel is inspected to assess the result and identify any remaining concerns.

If suitable, the tyre is refitted and balanced.

 

Why a proper inspection matters

A wheel can have more than one damaged area, and some cracks or bends are difficult to see while the tyre is fitted. We inspect the wheel before confirming whether repair is possible.

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Arrange an inspection

Contact us with your vehicle details, wheel size and photos of the damage if possible. Tell us whether the tyre is losing pressure or whether you are experiencing vibration.