How to Tell if a Car Rim Is Bent?
by Cheryl Starr
Your car can make many sounds when you're driving down a road. Mechanics often will tell you that a constant thumping sound means a dented rim is probable. Wobbling or shaking in the tires can also be signs of bent or damaged rims. However, you cannot be completely sure about the damage to a rim until you visually examine it. A mechanic can help you determine a rim's situation and whether it can be fixed or not. There are some guidelines to help you discover if your car rim is bent before taking it to a mechanic.
Step 1
Remove the rim from the tire. If the damage isn't obvious while the rim is on the tire, take a closer look.
Step 2
Examine both lips of the rim. Look for dents, warps, indentations or bends in the outside and the inside lips. The lip is where most of the damage to a rim usually occurs.
Step 3
Lay the rim down on a flat surface. Examine the rim to see if it is rocking on the surface or if it is laying flat.
Step 4
Take the rim to a tire shop to have it checked out. A mechanic can inspect the rim and tell you if it is bent or damaged. A mechanic will place a tire and rim on a wheel balance machine. This is a very effective way of telling if a rim is damaged.
References
Writer Bio
As a former elementary school teacher, Cheryl Starr now writes full-time from Missouri. Her work has appeared in various magazines, including "Teachers of Vision," "Insight" and "Highlights." She is currently writing a novel and a devotional book. Starr studied elementary education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
