5 Symptoms of Bent Rims
When we’re driving on the road, we often don’t give a second thought to the wheels and rims on our cars.
And even small bumps and everyday wear can cause rims to bend, which can lead to big problems.
Comparing wheels and rims
Many people use the terms wheels and rims interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. The rim is a part of the wheel. While the wheel consists of the entire metal part of the assembly, the rim refers to the outermost edge on each side of the wheel.
1) Excessive Vibration/Shake
Bent rims throw off the weight and balance of the wheel, and the more you feel this the faster you go. The faster you go, the more your vehicle will vibrate and shake, which can affect your steering and handling overall.
2) Visible Damage
Sometimes the only thing you need to know about bent rims is that they look terrible. You may notice scuffs, scratches, cracks, or an overall bend in the rim that shouldn’t be there. If you don’t pay much attention to the performance of your car, this may be the first symptom you notice. However, if you visibly spot a bent rim, you should have it repaired, even if you aren’t actively noticing many other performance issues. Bent rims can cause everything from complete issues to complete tire removal if you hit the wrong pothole or bump.
3) Abnormal Tread Wear
A bent rim causes the wheel to vibrate while driving, and that vibration can cause a noticeable difference in tread wear.
You may notice excessive tread wear compared to the tire on the other rim, or you may notice that one part of the tire (inside or outside) is wearing down faster than the other parts.
4) Reduced Braking Performance
If your tires aren’t rotating perfectly balanced, it can affect how smoothly your brakes work. Not only will this increase your stopping distance when you apply the brakes, but it can also cause your vehicle to pull in one direction if you brake too hard, causing you to lose control.
5) Continual loss of pressure in your tires
When everything is working properly, your tire will rest against the edge of the rim, forming a bead that holds all of the air in the tire. If the rim bends, it can also cause a small gap in the bead to allow air to escape, causing your tire pressure light to come on.
Bent Rims and Unbalanced TiresBent rims and unbalanced tires have similar symptoms, but they are two completely different problems and require two completely different solutions.
What causes bent rims?
The most common cause of bent rims is an impact on the wheel. This can happen if you hit a curb, hit a large pothole, or if something hits the rim. You might think it would take a big impact to bend a rim, but even a small impact can cause the rim to bend.
Additionally, if you have an older vehicle, the internal structure of the rim can break down over time. When this happens, driving over potholes or bumps multiple times can slowly cause the rim to bend.
Is it safe to drive with a bent rim? No. While you can often drive with a bent rim, there is a risk that the tire will lose air pressure quickly or even slip off the bead completely. The rim is what seals the tire, and any damage to the rim reduces its effectiveness.
The last thing you want is to have a flat tire on the road and lose control of your car, so don’t drive with a bent rim.
Can a bent rim be repaired?
Usually, an authorized repair shop can repair a bent rim instead of replacing the entire wheel. However, it depends on the extent of the damage.