Bent rim - Hubcap Annie's? (Dallas, Austin: to buy, maintenance, price)

[1mintjulep]

I hit a curb the other day and bent one of my rims. I usually take my car to the Firestone down the street for repairs/maintenance, but they don't fix rims. They referred me to Hubcap Annie and said they'd probably charge $25-$75 to fix it (it doesn't look like it's damaged too badly, but it's enough to make the steering wheel pull). However, when I called Hubcap Annie, they quoted me a starting price of $85.

I know nothing about cars. Has anyone here dealt with this place? Is there a cheaper/better alternative? TIA!

[CptnRn]

I found this:

Bent Rim Repair in Austin | Austin | Yelp
Try Wheel Technologies, they're off of north Burnet road.

http://maps.google.com/m…

You can drop it off there in person, but I think they send it up to Dallas every night, so you'll have it back in a day or two.

Another option is to buy a used rim from an auto wrecking yard. Just make sure you check it carefully to make sure it is not already bent too.

[owlman]

If your steering wheel is pulling to one side you might need an alignment. A bent rim usually results in vibration, sometimes only at certain speeds.

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

I found this:


Another option is to buy a used rim from an auto wrecking yard. Just make sure you check it carefully to make sure it is not already bent too.

Thanks. Like I said, I know nothing about cars...I can't even change a tire, so I need someone to fix it (as in, put the rim on) for me.

Originally Posted by owlman

If your steering wheel is pulling to one side you might need an alignment. A bent rim usually results in vibration, sometimes only at certain speeds.

It's more of a vibration than pulling to one side or another. With the donut on it, it's fine.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by 1mintjulep

Thanks. Like I said, I know nothing about cars...I can't even change a tire, so I need someone to fix it (as in, put the rim on) for me.

You can take the used rim from the wrecking yard to any tire repair shop to have them put your tire on it and install it on your car. By the time you get done with those fees I'm not sure you will be much less than the $85 fee.

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

You can take the used rim from the wrecking yard to any tire repair shop to have them put your tire on it and install it on your car. By the time you get done with those fees I'm not sure you will be much less than the $85 fee.

Yeah, and finding one in a wrecking seems like more trouble than I care to go to. I just called Wheel Technologies, and they quoted me $125. Maybe Hubcap Annie is the way to go.

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by 1mintjulep

I hit a curb the other day and bent one of my rims. I usually take my car to the Firestone down the street for repairs/maintenance, but they don't fix rims. They referred me to Hubcap Annie and said they'd probably charge $25-$75 to fix it (it doesn't look like it's damaged too badly, but it's enough to make the steering wheel pull). However, when I called Hubcap Annie, they quoted me a starting price of $85.

I know nothing about cars. Has anyone here dealt with this place? Is there a cheaper/better alternative? TIA!

car-part.com

Then have your tire mounted and balanced on the used wheel at any tire store.

You should have the alignment checked also, don't wait for your tires to get trashed.

While not in the tire business I do own an automotive repair shop, and regularly try to help "curb-surfers."

Don

[1mintjulep]

Unfortunately, I have no idea what kind of wheel I need and apparently Hubcap Annie neglected to glean this information when I went in on Friday (which I only found out today when I called them).

Whatever. I'll just drive it on the donut until it falls off.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by 1mintjulep

Whatever. I'll just drive it on the donut until it falls off.

That shouldn't take too long. They're usually rated for 50 miles.

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by OpenD

That shouldn't take too long. They're usually rated for 50 miles.

I got Firestone on Northcross to order a new rim for me and switch it out after all. I cannot say enough nice things about the guys over there. Hubcap Annie, on the other hand, can kiss my behind.