cracked alloy - repair or replace?

[wemorgan]

The other day whilst having some new tyres fitted the fitter spotted a crack in one of my alloys. The tyre had not been loosing air pressure and the new tyre was balanced with only 25g added so it seems not to be buckled.

Does anyone have any experience in repairing cracked alloys? Or should I just replace with a new one?

Thanks.

 

[mercedescl500]

Ive had wheels repaired in the past but only for non-structural damage (inside lip crack), also small cracks do appear in a lot of +sized wheels. Lots of people get cracks in the inside-lip area and successfully have them repaired. Any repair to the "face/spokes" area is considered to be structural and would not be worth repairing. Looking at the pic, the crack looks to be repairable by a competent welder. Hope this helps.

 

[wemorgan]

Sounds like I need to make a few call tomorrow.

Roughly how much did you pay for the repair?

 

[mercedescl500]

I paid 30 for a single repair to inside edge crack. Hope this helps. Lots of people around who'll do it, where abouts are you located ?

 

[wemorgan]

West Midlands.

I think the RRP for the alloy is about £120, but might know someone who can do it for near 1/2 that.

So if a repair costs £30 i'll get it repaired if I have to pay £120 for an alloy, but if the alloy costs £60 I'll go down that route.

Here's a more detailed photo

 

[ucr]

This wheel will cost your life - put a new one on

 

[sirius9]

this wheel will cost your life - put a new one on

+1

 

[oldcro]

+2

 

[mercedescl500]

Looking closely now at the BIG picture, i'd scrap it. There appears to be a weld already in place directly below the new obvious crack. This wheel appears to have already been repaired in that same area and will in my opinion not only come back but be dangerous too.

HTH

 

[wemorgan]

Interesting you say they have been welded already as they are only 6 months old. I've had the car about 2 months now.

I wonder if that line you see is more dirt or manufacturing line rather than weld. I'll have a look at the others tomorrow to see how they compare.

 

[Mercsys]

Replace the alloy, the cost is similar to a new tyre. I’ve had a blow out at high speed, I can’t imagine what a wheel disintegrating could be like at any speed!!!

 

[wemorgan]

A follow-on question: If, and it's most likely I will, scrap the alloy and buy a new, is there a significant scrap value for the old alloy?

 

[jaymanek]

Will, that crack is spreading, I wouldnt risk it..

 

[A210AMG]

Not a chance for £120 would I risk that.

Not with just me in the car, certainly not with my family and what about other road users if it fails.

Sorry it would ALWAYS be in the back of my mind that that is their simply not worth it.


As for scrap I would use it as a hose pipe holder

 

[MarriedBlonde]

Jesus for £120 I would just bing it and get a new one. Acutally for twice that I would do the same. Not worth the risk IMO.

J.

 

[wemorgan]

All resolved now. My new alloy was delivered today

 

[Mercsys]

As for scrap I would use it as a hose pipe holder

Good call, itwould make a great hose spool.

 

[Benjy]

When I had my TVR the same thing happened and the wheel shop I had it repaired in told me that it would no way be as good as an undamaged rim and advised to only use it as a spare and to never have it on the car as a main wheel to be used everyday.

I have to say and agree with the other guys, it is not worth taking any chances, get a new one.

 

[mercedescl500]

In practice/perfect-world a damaged wheel shouldn't be put back on the road. But the question one asks themselves is : how many people actually examine there wheels for cracks and damage ?? I know alot of people who couldn't even change a spare/tire and are not mechanically inclined to investigate their wheels on a regular basis. There must be thousands of vehicles on the roads with damaged wheels.

HTH.

 

[Dieselman]

^ With tubeless tyres the chance of air leakage must be significantly higher than the chance of wheel failure.