All About Alloy Wheels

ALL ABOUT ALLOYHEELS Alloy wheels are a significant investment for your vehicle so it's important to take good care of them. Signs that something is wrong with your alloy wheels 1 Tyres keep going down Possible Reasons Poor tyre valve Crack in the air seal lining Buckled or misshapen wheel Poor seal or a crack in the alloy 2 7 Steering wheel vibration Generally caused by a buckle on front wheel. 3 Seat vibration 4 Steering & Seat vibration Front and back wheel may be buckled. TOP TIP! The majority of buckles are on the inside rim of the wheel, which is less obvious to see. If you know your car has hit some obstruction, always check both wheels on the same side of the vehicle, it's most likely that both front and back wheels hit the obstruction. Typical Alloy Wheel Damage Chips Corrosion Cause: Chips can occur in alloy wheels if they have impacted and a piece has chipped off. Inspection needs to be made to make sure there is no hairline crack associated with the chip. Remedy: A smart repair or full refurbishment can be carried out. Corrosion is characterised by the appearance of white dust on parts of the wheel. Cause: by a reaction of the alloy with road salt. Corroded wheels need careful inspection to make sure there is no structural damage. Remedy: Full refurbishment taking off all the paint and starting again. Kerb Damage Cause: Kerbing damage is caused by the wheels scraping against the kerb. Kerbing damage varies from wheel to wheel. Sometimes kerbing damage may need welding to fill in pits on the alloy and then machining down. Cracks Cracks need careful inspection because cracks on certain parts of the wheel or cracks above a certain size may mean the wheel has to be scrapped. Cause: Impact while driving Remedy: Repaired by TIG welding and then finishing either with a smart repair or a full refurbishment. Remedy: Generally a full refurbishment. Types of Alloy Wheel Repair Welding Welding is used to repair cracks in wheels and also to fill in chips and replace metal. Welded repairs are just as strong as the original alloy. If it is not done perfectly stress cracks can occur when weight is applied- Suart Repairs Smart repairs are purely cosmetic. Used for remedying unsubstantial damage e.g. a scratch. The wheel is removed and the damaged area sanded down, carry out the repair, mask up and paint. Buckle repair Alloy wheels are prone to buckling on potholes and kerbs and often a buckle is not visible unless the wheel is removed and put onto a machine because must alloy wheel buckles appear on the inside of the wheel. Buckled wheels can affect handling and the air-tightness of the wheel. Full Refunshment Involves stripping off all paint, sand-blasting to create a perfect finish, machining to set true any out of round/buckles, welding where appropriate and painting and oven baking to create a perfect finish. Tyres refitted and wheel balancing. Benefits to Having Alloy Wheels Added Strength Style Can significantly reduce wheel / tyre deflection in cornering. Improves your car's looks & adds value to the vehicle. Increased Brake Cooling Lighter Weight More precise steering and can also reduce fuel consumption. Reduces the risk of 'brake fade under demanding conditions. Improved Acceleration and Braking Alloy wheels provide more responsive acceleration and braking. References: http://www.fawheels.co.uk/ http://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/alloy-wheels/ http://alloywheelrepair.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1.gif http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q299/cliffybabe/IMG.1690.jpg http://photos.expertreviews.co.uk/images/front.picture.library_Expert_Reviews/dir_289/er_photo.144580.52.png http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/tyre-alloy-wheel-section/900361d1331317905-what-consequences-slightly-deformed-steel-rim-wp_000120.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-260YG7XG5IW/TxaAJounoSI/AAAAAAAAAME/1haPNA17000/s1600/Lamborghini-Aventador-chassis-450x299.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/-01LAlfa.Romeo_Giulietta.Car_seat_%28_seats_%29.jpg http://img.deusm.com/designnews/2013/02/258467/164230_688700.jpg http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/108934190/alloy_wheel.jpg http://www.vwheritage.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/16.jpeg http://il.ytimg.com/vi/GZ4NMQOBSFI/maxresdefault.jpg http://www.1stforalloys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/et.temp/welding-129684_960x361.jpg http://bin.snmmd.nl/m/mlfywa7whugc.jpg http://images.wisegeek.com/dial-tire-pressure-gauge.jpg First Aid WHEELS Alloy Wheel Repair & Refurbishment www.fawheels.co.uk