Bent Volk RE30; Any suggestions appreciated
 

Hey guys.

Long time lurker. Been around a while and have learned a lot from this place. Anywayy, I was driving on the highway the other night and hit a pothole at ~70 mph, that almost put me into the guardrail(welcome to New Jersey.) I was on my way to a car photo shoot and by the time I got there and started talking to everyone I completely forgot to even check the wheel. Didn't think too much of it because I've hit some pretty big potholes before and the RE30s seemed to be pretty much indestructible. Well, I was wrong. Today on the highway I noticed a bit of vibration in the steering wheel at ~60 mph, and I had all but forgotten about the pothole I had hit the other night. I figured it was just a tire running low or something. I cut my joyride short to check my wheels, and pulled in my driveway to discover this.

Attachment 71310

:shakes head:

Forgive me if the image doesn't show up. I'm having trouble figuring this whole image uploading thing out, but there's a huge dent in my front drivers side wheel. My question for you guys is, can it be fixed? I know there's wheel repair shops that do these kind of repairs, but has anyone had a volk wheel repaired before that could offer some insight into the process? I'm assuming that the repair process would destroy the paint and seeing as my wheels are "hyper bronze," I'd have to also assume a wheel repair shop would have a hell of a time trying to match that color after the repair. Think I'll have to repaint the whole wheel? That would mean I would probably have to repaint all four so that they match and I'm trying to get an idea of what level of headache I've got ahead of me.

If anyone could offer any advice or perhaps recommend a reputable wheel repair shop in the northern New Jersey area, I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks guys,
Steve

I've had a Rays rim repaired once (350Z). It looks like it can be fixed, but make sure that they use heat and not a hammer. I went to a place and they just started flinging a huge hammer on the bent and I told them to stop and got the fu*k out.

Went to another place that did it proper (I believe they used heat) and it came out straight. I'm not sure about the color though, but my rims were powdercoated and by fixing the bend, they powdercoat was removed and the part that was fixed was black in color.

For reference:

Before:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n..._2922699_n.jpg

After:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...1106001124.jpg

Hope this helps, good luck.

Just whack it out with a mallet.

Thanks enkei2k. Thats what I was afraid of. After you took the wheel away from the fu*kers that were whacking it with a hammer did the shop you brought it to use a machine to push it back into shape? I've heard theres a machine they can use to minimize the damage done to the wheel but I'm not sure wether that would preserve the paint or not considering my volks are still factory color and to repaint one would mean repainting all four. Not the end of the world but I'm trying to figure out if I would be able to avoid it or not considering I love my Hyper Bronze finish. Thanks for the reply.

ka24king, thanks, I understand that's one way to do it but considering these wheels were worth ~3k when I bought them, and I bought them partly because I loved the color, I'm trying to preserve the stock volk paint. If it turns out the paint can't be saved and I need to repaint/powdercoat then I will probably just sell them and buy new wheels to be honest.

I'm sure that's one way to do it, but I mean, just seeing/hearing them wail at the wheel made my heart drop. I'd rather pay more to have it done right/less ghetto.

Honestly, I don't know what they used or how they did it. They took the wheel off and went to the back while I was in the waiting room. I didn't hear any banging though LOL. It's possible they used a machine, but again, not too sure. They told me right off the bat that the powdercoat will not be there once they fixed the rim. I'm not sure about your Volks though but I'd say get the rim fixed first and worry about the looks afterwards.

you're going to crack it if you hit it hard enough. but you'll need more then a mallet to fix... like sledgehammer.

ive had SSR's repaired here long time ago. they did great work.

Wheel Collision Center Bath PA- Excellence in Refinished/Used Factory OEM Aluminum Alloy Wheel Rim Sales & Alloy Wheel Rim Straightening Repair Refinishing & Recycling! - www.oemfactoryrimwheel.com Excellence in Refinished/Used Factory OEM Aluminum A

check your local bmw/benz dealers as well. they might have a contracted wheel repair shop. :)

I had TE37 repaired before. They heated up the bent lip area on the inner side to minimize damage to the anodized bronze color. Then hit it with a mallet. Then the spun the wheel on this machine to see if the wheel is straight. There were some discoloring after it was repaired but not a big deal.

I have a similar bent lip on my current set of wheels. Too lazy to fix it lol.

Subd

buy a new one for 200 bucks. Oh wait its a volk.
Replicas - 1
Authentic - 0
Haha I'm just messin with you, but seriously. Reps.
As mentioned above, my dad got his wheel on his old truck fixed via heat and spin. Go to a good shop in your area and they should get you all squared away. However, my dads wheel was chrome so I don't know how discoloration works with this method. Also make sure theyre using a rubber coated hammer to protect from chipping

Well it does look repairable. Ask some rim shops around you to see if they know someone that does repairs don't sell them they are sick wheels and I've seen worse get fixed like new. You should be ok just look around good luck .

I use these guys. They are incredible

www.yeolewheelshop.net

If ya don't find anyone, try Weldcraft Wheels Wheel Widening Wheel Repairs Wheel Restoration. If you look under "widen" the picture displayed is my rim they did for me when I was building my 70 Camaro. Took a 18x8 and made it into a 18x15, the guys do great work... And it was balanced to 1/4oz when I had the 31x18.5 tire mounted on it.

I'm going with these guys they quoted me 150 shipped there and back,
http://www.rimguardxtreme.com/

And my damage
Attachment 71376
Attachment 71377
Attachment 71378
They told me I would have it back in about a week, and yes they are knock off's