Can this wheel be repaired?

It can be repaired


https://www.awrswheelrepair.com/

 

not a problem, but you need a good wheel shop

 

The proper answer is yes, no, or possibly.
It can definitely be repaired.....BUT, if the dent is too deep, it may change the look of the wheel.
With the diamond cut wheels, the way that they are typically fixed is to lathe the surface down to the lowest point of the damage. When removing material, it will change the shape of the "U" in the spoke, it may narrow a little bit. I am not sure if there are any specialty shops that can add some material, then smoothen and refinish it, if they could, then it wouldn't affect the "U" in the spoke, but I'm not aware of any that do that.
A new wheel is anywhere from approx. $2,800 to $3,700 depending where you buy from. Used ones are really hard to find, especially in good condition.
I am also looking for a front wheel for mine because a prior owner had the wheel refinished and now the "U" in the spokes are slightly narrower than a perfect wheel, and it bugs me. I'm probably the only person that notices it, but I'm ridiculously anal, and need my car perfect, lol.

 

@up4speed Why did they turn it down rather than run a bead of aluminum weld to fill the divot first and then turn it down? I don't imagine these are exotic (magnesium or something). Totally get why it bugs you, my sense is shop was taking a short cut.

[edit] - See now that was prior owner, not your call.

 

A good alloy wheel repair guy could fix it for a couple hundrednin two hours although diamond cut rims are more challenging.

 

Yes, not my car at the time it was done. These wheels ae definitely forged wheels. I'm not sure off the top of my head if they are aluminum or magnesium though.
I'm also not sure if the material of the wheel makes a difference for the shop to add material, then cut, in order to maintain the shape of the wheel perfectly.
Thankfully, the difference in my wheel is VERY subtle and not bad at all, but since I'm so anal, I would definitely get another one, if I can find one at a very reasonable price that it 100% perfect.

 

A highway accident in front of me in very heavy rain caused me to run over debris and damage a front wheel, much like the one in the picture (same wheel type), and it was easily repaired. I watched the process and the guy had to heat the damaged area and re-work the metal, and when he was done I couldn't tell it had ever been damaged. My concern was reliability of the wheel at very high speeds, and although I was assured that would not be a problem, the concern was still on my mind when the car was about to be sold to make room for a new model. I couldn't bring myself to sell the car with that question still on my mind so I ended up replacing the wheel before it was sold. I had to buy a partial set of 2 wheels at $6200, used one and gave the other to a friend that had the same wheels. I don't know if he still has the wheel, it's been a couple of years, but I'll check and if he has it, I'll repost here and you can PM me your address if you want it. I'll ship it to you, at no cost.

Jim

 

You're a good man, Jim.

 

Jim, it is not too often that we meet people in this world with integrity like yours! You are a true gentleman.
As for me, I wouldn't let you ship it at no cost to me no matter what.

 

Thanks for the kind words, but I apologize for writing that in a way that caused that thought, that wasn't my intention. I only wanted the owner to consider the integrity of the wheel and thought explaining what I went through might help. I'm sure I'm not alone in recognizing our responsibility to our friends and fellow enthusiasts to provide a safe car on resale, it's just the right thing to do.

Jim

 

You are definitely not alone. MANY people would consider that they are selling the car, and its not their problem anymore.
Sad, but definitely true.