Any way to fix a bent Velox Hyperion wheel?

[ipWitan]

Velox Hyperion wheel. Don't recall the size, but thinking it is 17x8 wide. I have the paperwork at home. My profile picture may be enough for some of you to tell.

Normally I inflate my tires to 40psi. The back right was not holding air and I assumed it was a small leak. The PSI would drop to around 27 and hold. Yesterday I inflated this tire and turned the compressor off only to hear a gushing sound. It sounded like air coming out of the stem, but it wasn't. Air was coming out the back, and fast, and then stopped. So I re-inflated and checked again. This time I saw and felt where the air was exiting - the area of a big dent on the inside of the rim! How do you put a dent like this on the rim? Another mystery created by giving my car to my parents for 10 years.

Is there any way to fix this? Do I risk a blow out? Or is a new set of wheels in my future?

If it can't be fixed, I will search for a replacement wheel on ebay or something, but that seems unlikely given they are 20 years old. If I need new wheels, I will post a separate thread about where to find them, proper size, etc., and any other buying tips and recommendations.

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[chrisman287]

Hammer and wood will fix that real quick Been there with a cheap set of wheels in the past.

It was probably cause by the under inflated tire and a pot hole.

 

[ipWitan]

Trying to not sound like an idiot, but the process would be to jack up the car and try to pound that out placing a piece of wood between metal and wheel. I guess I would deflate the tire too, right? And do you think it will stop the leaking tire? At this point it is worth a shot.

 

[AWD-Tony]

Wheel repair shops can fix it if you can’t get it to seal.

 

[chrisman287]

Trying to not sound like an idiot, but the process would be to jack up the car and try to pound that out placing a piece of wood between metal and wheel. I guess I would deflate the tire too, right? And do you think it will stop the leaking tire? At this point it is worth a shot.

You are correct. It’s what has worked for me in the past. Doesn’t take much.

If not, take it to a wheel repair shop. They should be able to take care of that small bend no problem.

 

[Adam]

That's so minor. Being aluminum I would heat it before the hammer and wood trick. But that should bend back pretty easy either way

 

[ipWitan]

So i pounded on the wheel and it came back into shape somewhat. Despite my efforts, it still had a 1lb a day leak of air. So I took it to a place aptly named Wheel Repair Specialist. The cost is $175 yikes. New ones are so far off. We shall see what they can do... Velox Hyperion 18x8

Over the last decade or so I felt that the car would shimmer a little at 80 mph on the highway. New alignments never seemed to make a difference. I am wondering if this little dent was the cause. I don't know when it happened.

Random question - would a tire place put on new tires if they saw a dent in the wheel? I mean, wouldn't they at least mention it to the owner? I ask because 4 new tires were put on recently and it wasn't mentioned.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I personally would mention something like that a customer. But who knows, it might've been some kid without a keen eye or who just didn't give a care. The wheel repair shop should be re-balancing that wheel after repair so hopefully that vibration will go away.

 

[ipWitan]

I paid the $175 and it seems not dented anymore. They also rebalanced and put weights on it. I thought the idea of making it round would alleviate the need for extra lead weights. They also put some liquid rubber like goo where the dent was to be positive it won't leak. I haven't tested to see if the vibration stops. It has been hard to drive the convertible in 25 degree weather. I am afraid the car won't like the cold. It lived in Florida before NE.