Hi guys,

I hit a pothole (New England) at 40 mph last night and I bent my driver side front and rear wheels. There's no air leak or any other noticeable damage to the car. I took the car to Costco's Tire Shop and I was able to confirm the wheels were bent. I am not feeling any shaking or any handling issues so I was wondering if this is even worth fixing. If this is not an issue I am thinking on just keeping them until my next tire change.

If it is an issue, I got quoted by a Honda Dealer 219 dollars per RIM (steel) (parts only). This is the MSRP price of the RIM's by the way so I might just look online because I am sure these OEM's part are being sold cheaper than MSRP.

Anyways, is it bad driving with slightly bent RIMs? There's no air leak or any shaking or handling issue driving the car.

 

The good thing about steel rims is they can be bent back into shape. Ask around and you should be able to find a place that can fix them. There's no need to replace them from the sounds of it.

If it really isn't that bad and you aren't losing air maybe just have them balanced again.

 

Look to spend about $185 USD or so for each rim if you do buy new. Even if you have them balanced they will wobble on the road. Normally you can have a shop with a heavy hydraulic press straighten them out. Not sure on cost.

 

I did find some good discounted ones:

OEM Honda Part 42700-T5R-A01 | Wheel Disk (15 x 6J) (Maxion Wheels)(Black)

 

Not bad, not sure why they have a "core" charge. BK Honda charges a stupid high core charge of $50, but further research shows that to be standard for aluminum rims, but I know certain websites do not when you order rims. Those sites I won't advertise here because its a flaw they do not need to know about and us consumers reap the benefit of not getting charged a core fee.

 

The last time I had a steel wheel bent back into shape it was like 75-100 bucks but that was 10 years ago

 

Lots of Honda wheels are interchangeable so you can find replacements at a wrecker.

That must have been a hell of a pothole!

 

It wasn't a huge one or very deep but I guess hitting it at 35-40 mph didn't help the situation. I've learned my lesson though, after winter is over in NE, I will be driving my car like an old lady.

The pothole looked something like this: https://lintvwpri.files.wordpress.co...hole.jpg?w=951

By the way, I called the dealer and they told me if I bring the parts they will install and mount my new wheels for 45 bucks (two wheels).

 

If you bent rims you want to look at the tires with a careful eye. You might have damaged the sidewalls as well.

The price quoted by your dealer is pretty high. Most tire stores will mount and balance for free if you buy tires or wheels from them.

 

Oh, I am wondering if a tire store will charge me less than 45 dollars for just mounting and balancing.

I've just drove from work in the highway going 60 mph, I let the steering wheel go and there was no shaking, it was going straight, which is a good sign. I will still invest on new wheels in the near future just because it still bothers me (I am just being ANAL lol).

 

Have you tried Discount Tire?

 

Wow! 59 dollars for the Wheels (not OEM). It does not accept the original hub cups though hmmm. Great price.