Slight flat spot on the inner edge of my front wheel on the car caused by a pothole – wheel pushed in by around 1/2 inch over a 6 inch portion of the alloy.

Causes a slight but annoying vibration only at motorway speeds, fine otherwise.

Seems to be mixed opinion on the safety of getting this repaired – I think they heat them up and hammer/push them back into shape.

As it’s fairly minor, I can’t think this would be a problem. Any material scientists/metallurgy experts care to comment?

Think it may be more advanced than that, we do that to steel rims ourselves. Think alloys are built up with weld or similar before finishing.

Ive straightened one with a bottle jack and a couple of blocks of wood. It worked fine for a month or so while i waited for a replacement wheel no reason to see why it wouldnt still be going. Looked chip shop as anything when i was doing it. That was the inside off the wheel. Outside wasnt damaged.

If it’s an oem alloy it may well be fine. Take it to a wheel specialist and they’ll let you know either way. Or price a replacement.

How much is a brand new wheel from the dealer?

I had similar and the local wheel/tyre shop fixed it for about £75.

Is it a small wheel with a high profile tyre and plenty of metal at the rim or a 19″ wafer thin rim with rubber band tyres?

If the former, then it might be ok. The latter probably not.

Personally, i’d just replace the wheel.

porter_jamie – Member
How much is a brand new wheel from the dealer?

£450

Tallpaul – Member
Is it a small wheel with a high profile tyre and plenty of metal at the rim or a 19″ wafer thin rim with rubber band tyres?

If the former, then it might be ok. The latter probably not.

Personally, i’d just replace the wheel.

Not really low profile by modern standards, its 17″ but 245/45 profile on a big car

That’s a fair amount. I can get an 18″ merc one for half that. Personally I would get a new one. I used to be a wheel and tyre engineer.

When you push the flat spot out it’ll likely crack it open on the outermost edge as it expands. It’s what happened to me.

The flat spot you describe sounds larger than I would be prepared to push back out.