A few years ago, alloy wheels were considered a luxury and only available as accessories. Now, they are included on most new models. There is more to this trend than just aesthetics: cracked alloys are one of the biggest problems for Australia drivers today.
What is a cracked alloy?
Cracked alloys are very common, and they appear when the alloy is showing visible cracks. Over time, they are damaged by kerbs or potholes on uneven roads. In most cases, alloy wheels do not affect a car’s performance, but they should always be repaired immediately to prevent further damage from road hazards.
While many of us might think that we can simply neglect our alloy wheels and only clean the paint on them, it is likely to be a bad idea as dirt and grime will hide cracks which could prove dangerous if they were not fixed. To keep your alloys in perfect condition, you should regularly check for damage by cleaning them up yourself or having someone else do it professionally.
Why do alloy wheels crack?
A car’s wheels support around 1 tonne of metal and passengers every day. Furthermore, small impacts become far greater when they reach the wheel because they are tightly wrapped by the tyres. In the case of an impact too great for this tyre to absorb, it will transmit to the wheel until cracks form which leads to many people having their cars repaired every year because of potholes on American and Australian roads.
An extensive crack could cause the wheel to collapse or lose air pressure much more quickly. In addition, if the wheel is bent and cracked, the steering may feel strange. Get your alloy wheel checked as soon as you notice a crack to avoid a sudden tyre failure. When driving, even the smallest crack could cause a tyre to blow out.
Can You Repair at home?
Cracks in alloys are too difficult to repair at home, but you can purchase alloy wheel repair kits for more minor damage such as scratches or scuffs.
The wheel can be removed and repaired rather than replaced, but this is not something you can do yourself. To fix them, professionals use special tools; they also charge less since alloy wheels are expensive.There are best mobile alloy wheel repair services available.
If an amateur attempts to repair cracked alloy wheels, there is no guarantee of success or what damage may be done. will be done in trying (and why risk unnecessary costs?). However fixing one yourself might actually save money compared with purchasing another wheel altogether so always consider having repairs carried out before considering replacement instead.