Bend Comparison

(Review the photo samples below and select the one that best represents the type and severity of your bend.)

FRONT OR OUTBOARD SIDE BENDS

Wheels are shaped like a bell. The outboard side of the wheel is the spoke side and is significantly stronger than the inboard side, where there are no spokes. Since wheels are all constructed this way, outboard side bends are the most difficult to repair. The most successful rate of success for on-site straightening with the tire still on the wheel is with inboard side bends. Although on-site repair is possible for some outboard bends, a greater percentage of those must be taken to our shop. The reason for this is because the additional heat required to reposition the metal will damage the tire. Also the higher heat and possible tool marks from the straightening process might require that the wheel be refinished as well.

Any damage to a spoke on a wheel cannot be straightened. The photo on the left shows a chrome wheel with a spoke bent so badly that it is actually cracked under the chrome. On the right, the bead flange of the wheel is bent significantly but on-site repair techniques should be able to straighten the wheel. With our patented straightening processes, we should be able to do so without any cosmetic or tool mark damage.

On the left a more severe bend can be seen in the bead flange on a machined wheel. This is an example of a wheel that would most likely need to be taken to the shop for repair. The bead damage to the machined wheel on the right can probably be repaired on-site. However, since the metal on the outboard side will not move as easily as on the inboard side, the necessary straightening process could leave some noticeable tool marks.

The bead and flange of the wheel on the left can be straightened on-site, even though the bend extends down into the barrel slightly. Our dual axis straightening capability allows us to do this repair, leaving little or no evidence of tool marks. Another wheel with a more severe bend would most likely require shop repair.

The bead flange of the wheel on the left is bent too severely to be straightened on-site. Any abrupt front side bend that severe is most likely cracked, as is this wheel. A closer inspection of the photo will reveal another crack on the left side, just between the spokes. This wheel would need shop repair. The flat bead of the sport wheel on the right can probably be straightened on-site but the possibility of tool marks from the straightening process might be evident.

REAR OR INBOARD SIDE BENDS

The most successful success rate for on-site straightening with the tire still on the wheel is with inboard bends. The inboard side is more flexible and generally requires less heat than the outboard side of the wheel. Another reason that on-site straightening is more successful is because minor marks left by the straightening process will not affect the cosmetic appearance of the wheel.

Both of these minor bends can easily be straightened on-site. Although they look insignificant, they could eventually cause ancillary damage to other components such as tires and suspension systems.

These are more severe bends. As long as there are no cracks evident during preliminary inspection, on-site straightening should be possible. Notice that although the raised beads are bent significantly, the bends extending down into the barrel are not as severe.

These bends are wider and the bends extend down farther into the barrel of the wheel. These repairs require multiple axis pressure applications and our experienced professionals are the only ones who have the patented equipment necessary to straighten wheels like these in a mobile environment.

Although the bend in the wheel on the left is not as abrupt as some of the others pictured, it is just as difficult to straighten without the proper multiple axis pressure application equipment. That wheel as well as the one on the right, shown with multiple bends, can be straightened on-site. “Truing” the wheel to acceptable roundness tolerances and a balanceable condition, concludes all of our straightening processes.