What's included
- Removing the tyre and measuring run-out
- Straightening steel rims
- Straightening alloy rims and restoring the rim profile
- Measuring run-out again
- Fitting the tyre and balancing
How it works and how long it takes
- MeasuringWe mount the rim on the equipment and show you where and how much it is bent.
- StraighteningWe gradually correct dents and run-out. Alloy rims are straightened carefully so the metal isn't damaged.
- ControlWe measure run-out again and check for cracks after straightening.
- FittingWe fit the tyre, balance the wheel and put it back on the car.
Straightening one rim including fitting takes from 30 minutes to an hour or two, depending on the damage and material.
Vehicles and rim sizes
We straighten alloy and steel rims for cars, crossovers, 4×4s and minibuses. The price depends on rim size, material and vehicle type.
- Alloy rims
- Steel rims
- R13–R20+
When you need it
- Vibration appeared after hitting a pothole
- Balancing doesn't remove the wobble
- The wheel slowly loses air at the rim
- A dent is visible on the inner edge
Steel or alloy
Steel rims are ductile: they can usually be straightened completely, and it's inexpensive. Alloy rims are stiffer, so we straighten them more carefully and always check for cracks afterwards.
If we find a crack while straightening, we weld it with argon (see “Rim welding”) or recommend a replacement if welding isn't safe.
Why not drive on a bent rim
Rim run-out goes into the steering and suspension, the tyre wears unevenly and air may start leaking at the rim. The sooner it's fixed, the less chance the damage turns into a crack.
What rim runout is
Runout means the rim isn't a perfect circle. Radial runout makes the wheel hop up and down; lateral runout makes it wobble side to side like a figure of eight. Both show up as vibration in the steering wheel or the body, and neither can be fixed by balancing: weights can even out mass, but not shape.
Runout appears after hitting a pothole, a kerb or a speed bump too fast. Sometimes a rim has slight runout from the factory or after a poor earlier repair.
How straightening works
We take the tyre off and mount the rim on the machine. We measure exactly where and how far it is out of true and work out the dents one by one until the runout is within tolerance. Alloy rims are heated first so the metal is more pliable and doesn't crack; steel rims are straightened mechanically.
Afterwards we check the runout again, fit the tyre, make sure it holds air and balance the wheel. You get a wheel that's ready to go back on the car.
How long it takes and what affects the price
Straightening one rim with a single dent usually takes from 30 minutes to an hour. It takes longer with several dents, a large rim or a crack that also needs welding.
The price depends on the rim material (steel or alloy), the size and the complexity. The price list has separate 'from' prices for steel and alloy rims, and the fitter gives you the exact total after an inspection.
How to look after your rims
Keep your tyres at the right pressure: an under-inflated tyre lets a pothole hit the rim much harder. Avoid potholes or take them slowly, without braking at the moment of impact. And if a vibration appears after a hit, don't put it off: a small dent is easier to straighten than one you've driven on for a whole season.
Signs of a bent rim
Vibration in the steering wheel or the body that's still there after balancing is the most common sign. Others: a wheel slowly loses air with no visible puncture, the car pulls to one side, the tyre wears unevenly. Sometimes you can see the dent on the inner flange if you look under the car with a torch.
If you recently hit a pothole hard and then noticed any of these symptoms, have the rim checked. A dent is easier to straighten early, before the tyre gets damaged too.
Straightening during a seasonal change
A seasonal tyre change is a good time to check the rims: the wheels come off anyway, so the fitter can see dents and runout. If a rim needs straightening, we do it in the same visit, then fit the tyre and balance the wheel.
When booking online you can select both tyre fitting and straightening, and the system will set aside the right amount of time.