What's included
- Removing the tyre and inspecting the rim
- Finding the crack and judging whether welding is safe
- Preparing the crack for welding
- Argon welding of the seam
- Finishing the seam and checking it's airtight
- Fitting the tyre and balancing the wheel
How it works and how long it takes
- InspectionWe remove the tyre and look for every crack: there's often a small one next to the visible one.
- DecisionWe tell you whether it can be welded. Cracks on the rim edge can be; in the spokes we suggest a replacement.
- WeldingWe prepare the area, weld the crack with argon and finish the seam.
- CheckWe check it's airtight, fit the tyre and balance the wheel.
Welding one crack including tyre fitting usually takes from one to a few hours. We'll be more precise after the inspection.
Vehicles and rim sizes
We weld alloy (aluminium) rims for cars, crossovers and 4×4s. Steel rims are usually straightened rather than welded.
- Aluminium alloy rims
- R13–R20+
When you need it
- The wheel loses air but there's no puncture in the tyre
- A crack is visible on the rim edge
- A piece of the rim edge broke off after a hard hit
- Air escapes at the same spot on the rim
Why argon
Alloy rims are made of aluminium alloys that ordinary welding can't handle. Argon welding protects the metal from oxidation and gives a dense seam, so the crack stops leaking.
We don't promise a welded rim will be “as new”. But if the crack is on the rim edge, the rim usually serves well after welding.
When welding isn't worth it
Cracks in the spokes, near the hub mounting or very long cracks are dangerous: the rim may not take the load. In those cases we recommend a replacement and help you choose one in our shop.
What damage can be welded
Most often we weld cracks in the flange of an alloy rim: they appear after a pothole hit and show up as a thin line through which air slowly escapes. We also rebuild chipped bits of the flange and kerbed edges, as long as there's enough metal left.
Cracks that run into a spoke, towards the hub or along the tyre bead seat need especially careful assessment. The strength of the whole rim depends on those areas, so if welding wouldn't give a reliable result, we'll tell you straight.
How the welding works
We take the tyre off and clean dirt and paint off the damaged area. The ends of the crack are drilled so it can't spread further, and the crack itself is opened up so the weld penetrates its full depth.
We weld with argon using filler wire for aluminium alloy. Afterwards the weld is ground flush so the tyre sits evenly; we check the rim for leaks and runout, fit the tyre and balance the wheel.
The price depends on the length of the weld: we charge per centimetre. The fitter gives you the exact total after the inspection, before any work starts.
After the repair
After welding the rim can go straight back on the car. Check the pressure in that wheel over the first few days: if it holds, the repair worked. The weld may differ in colour from the rest of the rim; you can have the rim painted later if you like.
If there's a dent next to the crack, it's worth straightening it along with the welding, so the rim runs true and the weld isn't under strain.
Is a welded rim safe?
A crack in the flange of an alloy rim that has been welded properly is airtight again, and the rim can be used. What matters is that the crack is in a place where welding doesn't weaken the structure, and that the weld penetrates its full depth. That's why the ends of the crack are drilled and the crack is opened up before welding.
If the crack is long, runs through a spoke, or the rim already has several old welds, the risk goes up. In those cases we recommend replacement rather than repair, even if welding is technically possible.
Preparing for your visit
If a wheel keeps losing air and you don't know why, come in for an inspection: we'll find the leak and tell you whether it's a crack, a puncture or a valve problem. If you've already found the crack, you can bring just the rim or wheel so you don't have to leave the car.
Welding together with straightening and balancing takes from an hour to several hours, so it's best to book a convenient time in advance.