Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Stu C on 28 October 2012, 12:56:47
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Another question just to get opinons really. About two months ago I hit a really deep pot hole quite hard.. The sort of one that makes you actualy say Ouch! out loud.
All seemed fine but I didnt actualy check the wheel by removing from the car but on just a visual inspection all seemed good. Anyway to cut to the chase the wheel has just cracked on the inside lip bit you cant see when on the car. its only a small dent too.
I am struggling to find an 18 x 9j replacement as I guess most are 8J for all the front wheel drive Vauxhall's.
What are peoples opinions on getting it welded by a professional??
Thanks in advance :y
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Hi,
I am a weler fabricator by trade and this will be a specialist job.
If it was me, I would take it a wheel refurb place like Pristine Wheels for example...
The problem is, material is an alloy, Ally/magnesium.... The wheel will need to be pre-heated before welding and wile maintaining this heat, welded using special rods.
Hope this helps....
In future, stay away from big holes!!!
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Get it repaired/refurbed...? Stripped in acid, welded, straightened, Powder coated(or whatever).
Price depends on who does it and how bad the damage is. I had 4 refurbed, for £170.
Another member paid near £300 with several dings removed at a different company.
No welding though.
Shop around.
Ps, you'll get numerous posts about "would you trust a welded/damaged wheel" etc etc, but that's a personal choice, a d depends how nad the damage is. Welding alloy wheels is quite acceptable structurally, up to a point.
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Thanks guys.
The crack is about 10mm long and only on the inside lip not on the flat of the barrel yet.
I will do my best not to hit anymore holes... have to travel alot on country roads and it was well hidden buy bad waether and darkness at the time ;)
Thanks for advice guys. I have a local repair company so will see what they say. :y
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Easy done. Very easy done.
Maybe those perfect individuals can show us how to avoid pot holes hidden by darkness puddles and wet leaves. ::)
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Easy done. Very easy done.
Maybe those perfect individuals can show us how to avoid pot holes hidden by darkness puddles and wet leaves. ::)
100w fog lights, obviously ::)
:P
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;) Be very very careful cos not rims are pure ally, some contain high levels of manganese which readily bursts into flame and turns to ash.
Best bet is to take it to a specialist rim restorer and bite bullet on cost. The crack means that it now weakened and there may be other hairline cracks you cannot see with the naked eye.
Until then I would take it off and put a substitute on even if the style does'nt match.
Sorry news was not better............
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it can be repaired.. some specialist can weld it.. but no doubt will need paint..
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Take some photos of the pothole and the damage to your wheel. Submit them to the local council responsible for that stretch of the road along with your claim for repair costs - you may well get a pay out.
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As another member stated, Pristine Wheels are a well respected wheel refurber. If I had to pick a complaint with them, they do put an awful lot of lacquer on the wheels.
Although they have local agents, I understand all wheels get sent to their head office at Woburn Sands.
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If you're anywhere near Billingshurst, I can recommend WG Tyres for wheel refurbs :y the people they use did a cracking (no pun intended, honest ::)) job on my MV6 wheels 8) £66 per wheel, inc Vat :y
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=107869.0 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=107869.0)
:y
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Thanks for the recormendation I will keep them in mind :y
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Why not do the same as myself and invest in a set of steel winter wheels??
Shod in my case with with Michelin Alpin's
There's an added bonus as well as preseveing your alloys
Of more road grip on slippy roads :y :y
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She is on a set of winter wheels as we speak. I have the original elite wheels on now.
Sadly it was not winter when I hit the pot hole, just poor conditions..
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Ouch :'( :'(
Sorry about that not a lotmore you can do
As already said pursue the Highways Authority with vigour
Especially if the pothole was there in non winter conditions
I should have done that on the 3 times it happened to Miggy
Out of interest they all repaired OK :y