Wheel rim got bent in a pothole - what now?
Yesterday I hit a pothole and now the wheel is bent, the car vibrates when driving. Can it be repaired or do I have to replace it? And roughly how much will it cost to replace a wheel on a Kia Sportage?
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My car got damaged by a pothole too, and the wheel bent - I took it to a tire shop, and they checked it and said it could be fixed if the bends weren't too bad. But in your case, if you're driving with vibration, the bend is serious, and you shouldn't risk it - vibration damages the suspension and hub. Restoration might help if you're planning to drive for a few more months, but it's just a temporary fix.
I can't say for sure about the price - it depends on which Sportage model you have, the year, and whether it's an original wheel or an aftermarket one. Better to call a few service centers or tire shops with your wheel size, and they'll give you the actual cost. But usually replacing one wheel is cheaper than fixing the suspension if the vibration damages it.
Vibration is already a serious sign that it's not just a minor cosmetic bend. Tire shops will take a look, of course, but if the wheel is deformed enough that the car is shaking, it's usually simpler and cheaper to get a new one than to repair it - the risk that it'll fail again is too high. I can't give you an exact price for a Sportage wheel (it depends on the year and whether you want original or aftermarket), but in any case, first go to a tire shop and have them check it out - maybe the tire is damaged too, and that means you'd need to replace both.
Before you decide anything, check whether the tire got damaged in the impact - sometimes people notice vibration because of that, not just because of the wheel. At a tire shop they should inspect both: if the tire's fine but the wheel is actually badly bent, restoration doesn't always make sense - there's a real risk the deformation will come back under load. For the exact cost on your model it's better to call local shops, but usually a new wheel runs about the same as restoration, except you get more of a guarantee.
What size wheel does your Sportage have and how old is it?
Vibration is really not just a cosmetic defect. When a wheel is bent enough that you feel it while driving, it's usually not repaired because even if you manage to restore the shape, the metal is already weakened and will start cracking. Plus vibration puts extra strain on the suspension and steering, which means additional expenses. The tire shop will be able to tell you more precisely after an inspection, but if it's vibrating - be prepared for a replacement.
The price depends on the size and manufacturer, but usually an original wheel for a Sportage costs from several thousand rubles, plus tire remounting. Here's a clever hack: if you don't need to drive far, ask the tire shop to swap the damaged wheel for your spare on the way, and then plan your purchase properly. You'll save on an emergency replacement and rushing around - you'll be able to pick a wheel without time pressure, and maybe even find something cheaper on the secondhand market if that's not a big deal for you.
Николай95 asker
Sportage 2019, 225/65 R17 wheel. Thanks, I'll try swapping it out for the spare and then take my time picking a replacement.
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