A buckled alloy can be classed anything from a slight bend to the metal being completely crumpled. They are usually the result of an impact with a curb or other vehicle at high speeds.
Driving on a buckled alloy is a cause for concern and the issue should be treated immediately. Even with this in mind, there isn’t a need to be worried – the vast majority of buckled alloys that we see are repaired to brand new condition standards.
Book your appointment here today to ensure your safety on the roads.
What is a buckled alloy wheel?
A buckled alloy wheel is an alloy that isn’t perfectly straight, isn’t aligned with your tyre and can vary from being slightly bent to being extensively out of shape.
Can you drive on a buckled alloy?
No, you shouldn’t drive on a buckled alloy; it isn’t safe to do so.
It is advised to book in for a repair of a buckled alloy immediately, as driving on one can be highly dangerous. The steering of the vehicle itself will be hindered and added strain all over the car will be increased when driving on a buckled alloy.
As the alloy is bent, the bead may be slightly off, causing the possibility of the tyre detaching and leading to a blowout, which is extremely dangerous.
How do alloys buckle?
The usual way for an alloy to buckle is from a collision at high speed either with a curb or another vehicle.
Alloys can buckle from hitting a pothole too hard as the weight of the car has come down onto the alloy, causing the amount of stress to be too overpowering for the metal in the alloy and it will bend as a result.
What damage does a buckled alloy wheel cause?
The alloy wheel itself being buckled is a serious problem; however, if the buckled alloy isn’t seen immediately, other problems around the car can arise.
For instance, the steering of the car will likely also be affected, causing unnecessary strain on the steering mechanism. As the car will have to work harder to move forward or backwards, the overall health of the engine will begin to decrease faster than usual.
How is a buckled alloy repaired?
A purpose-built straightening machine is used to ‘unbuckle’ the alloy. At Alloy Wheel Repair Services, we only use high-quality, specialist equipment to repair buckles.
- The tyre is removed from the vehicle.
- Our experts will check for other dents and scratches.
- The alloy is then heated up to soften it, which then allows the machine to calculate and correctly straighten the alloy back into its normal shape.
- Once this process has finished, the tyre will then be attached back onto the alloy.
You can learn more about this process in our detailed blog on the alloy wheel straightening process!
Can you repair multiple buckles on an alloy?
It is possible to gather multiple buckles on one alloy. The possibility of repairing multiple buckles on one alloy all depends on the overall severity of the damage.
To get your alloy wheel seen and the severity of the buckles assessed, book here today!
Will alloy wheel buckle repair weaken my alloy?
The alloy itself will likely not be weakened through alloy wheel straightening, so there is no need to worry during this process.
If the alloy is very severely damaged, a repair may not be feasible. If you have had your alloys straightened multiple times already, the alloy may begin to weaken. Our experts will always offer you advice as to whether you should replace your alloys or continue with repairs.
Will a buckled alloy fail an MOT?
Certainly! Driving on a buckled alloy is a danger to you and also the drivers around you. If a buckled alloy is found during a routine MOT, your vehicle will fail without any further inspection.
Booking in for an alloy wheel repair is your best option – we can help. Just get in touch with our team today and we’ll get your repairs underway as soon as possible.