REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

Castamir · 09-06-2009, 08:40 PM

Today I decided to replace the brake pads on my 335i. For some reason, the wheels were stuck on really good, not something I have no experience with. I have to deal with this ocassionally while working on my own cars. As usual, to remove the stuck wheel, I hit the tire from the inside using a mallet. I tried a few medium strikes and the wheel wouldn't budge. So, naturally, I gave it one hard strike. It loosened a little. I turned the wheel 180 degrees and gave it a medium whack. I expected that to loosen the wheel a little. However, that did not happen and the wheel unexpectedly fell onto the ground face first, hitting the wheel bolts and my other tools that were on the ground. The car was only lifted 2" above the ground. To my surprise, the wheel is extremely soft and there was are some cosmetic damages as a result of the accident.

Here are some pictures... how much am I looking to spend to have these fixed? My two choices of shops will be either Panther or Nu Brite.

Adrenaline Rush · 09-08-2009, 06:34 AM

Last I heard, it was about $150 to fix a wheel with curb rash, but that was a couple years ago.

ilvtofu · 09-08-2009, 07:53 AM

Is there a product that's sorta like bondo for wheels?

Castamir · 09-08-2009, 10:37 PM

Any bondo should work. However, for optimal balancing, large chippings are usually repaired using welds. Regular curbing and rashes could be repaired using bondo or bodyfillers, aka mud.

$150 sounds quite right for a simple curb repair, which includes sanding, filling, and repainting. To reduce the cost of curb repair, many people sand and "bondo" the wheel at home to repair the curb rashes. Then take bring the partially repaired wheel for a repaint at a wheel shop. This should save around $20-30.

I just got a quote from Nu Brite to repair the above wheel today (first thing on my to-do list after the labor day Holiday). They said they wanted $200 for it, but I told them I've there before, so they quoted me $175. They will have to reweld the missing chunks and paint the entire wheel. I will also have them mount and balance my set of new tires on those wheels for $20 a wheel. Not bad.

Lesson learned... place something soft on the ground where the wheel would fall.

CanadaGoose · 09-09-2009, 09:47 AM

Next time when trying to free the siezed on wheel by striking it, it might not be a bad idea to loosely thread on one lugnut for safety

chris_89T · 09-09-2009, 09:29 PM

The best way to get stuck wheels off.

loosely leave all 5 lugs on. Then just kick the rubber. Honestly, ive had rims ive had to kick 7-10 times they always come off and if you leave the lugs on they dont fall off lol.

Anyways, that is a simple fix and its no special color/finish. most wheel shops charge 100-150/rim.