mikonuj

So I was on my way back from LA and as I approached the on ramp for the 10E, there was a huge a** rock the size of a football that caught my eye all of a sudden. Unfortunately, I caught the rock too late and ended up running my rear wheel over it. I'm running on stock OEM AMG 18" rims with Pirellis on it but the damage was a surprise that I had never expected.

When I got home to assess the damage, I discovered that the tire was unscathed! The inner wall of these AMG rims had dented inward and cracked. The wheel hadn't gone flat because of a ripped tire, but rather because the rim wall was cracked and was unable to hold air.

Now I'm in a search for a single AMG rim to replace this nonsense and so far eBay's been my best hope for this search. Please guys, if anyone can help out I'll appreciate any and all assistance. Thanks!

Here are some photos of the damage...











Please guys, I will really, really appreciate Any and All help I can get! Thanks!!!

CKreep

You could weld that back up and it might just need a few extra weights

RLE

Ask your dealer who does their wheel repairs and go there. Don't involve the dealer who would add a hefty markup.

I think it's fixable since it's in the center. And, carefully examine the tire at the break for cord damage.

mikonuj

It's a really tempting alternative, but how reliable will that be in terms of structural integrity?

mikonuj

Thank you! How do I check for cord damage though...?

RLE

You could take it to a big tire store that deals with high end cars and I'll bet they would do it in a minute, thinking they might have a pending sale.

snarlingchicken

http://www.finishlinewheels.com/MERC...TYPE+204/2010/

Just looked and came up with that. Hope you get it fixed man!

JimPap

Pease of mind is worth a lot. Just order a new replacement from MB and be done with it. Many of the AMG rims on Ebay have been repair jobs that may have been as bad as yours or worst.

Also, I don't see how the tire couldn't have been damaged too.

axhoaxho

Agree.

Beancooker

The barrel of the wheel is where the structural support is at. Welding aluminum causes the metal to heat and cool (expand and contract). This can further weaken the wheel. Having it damaged in the center of the barrel and repairing it is not a good idea. It can be done, but I would never drive on it, and I sure wouldn't trust my family riding on it.

mir_m

I have a spare for sale £150 plus shipping minor kurb rash on it nothing major

tanktube67

looks bad, I don't think it can be fix but call this number they specialize on wheel repaires
(800) 780-9822 or (818) 780-9822

kevink2

Fixable? Not likely, as the wheel in that area sees low cycle fatigue hoop stress cycles as the speed changes. Weld repairs in thin walled aluminum like this causes stress multipliers, which make the fatigue stress worse.

I would not try a repair, knowing the highest stresses in this area are at high speed.

The cracked area looks pulled out, meaning the rock hit the mid width of the tire, right where the clearance between the tire-tread inside-diameter is closest to the outer-dia of the wheel.

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jimmythegreek

that wheel is fixable, almost any wheel can be repaired. The ? is the worth and safety u feel towards that repair. Persoanlly I would just get an aftermarket replica if you wanna stay on the affordable side, otherwise just go to parts.com and order a new wheel, the ebay wheels are usually takeoffs or repairs, a takeoff is fine but I wouldnt pay for a repair when u can just do yours. And I had a similar crack on a set of TSW wheels off my long ago GSX-T. A tow truck lost one of his wheel lift 2x2 squre bars and was in slow lane of 2 lane highway. about 15 cars hit it and all had blowouts and I got passenger side F and R. The front blew apart the whole side the rear just like yours, exactly the same crack. I fixed that one and got 1 new one. The repair help up for 2 years til I got rid of the car

Toast

Out of curiosity, are your wheels plati-dipped or actually powder coated?

kevink2

I did not define fixable in my post, which to me brings the wheel back to original strength.

I have done short term repairs, like when I blew a short, curved radiator hose off the t-stat housing during last session at the track, 120 miles from home. I used racer's duct tape to seal the hose crack, and used same tape to lightly attach the pressure cap to the pressurized overfill tank, so pressure could not build due to heat. I then drove home on I-95 keeping temp gauge in normal range.

Assuming you did a weld repair (not JB weld), the advice is for people of similar welding skills. If it's JB weld job, you are a skilled driver and/or have a high risk tolerance, and a full size spare in the trunk.

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jimmythegreek

that wheel would have to be heated, bent back, and TIG welded. My buddy is a custom fabricator and is one of the best welders in the northeast. He was even on Discovery channel amazing machines. He did the actual repair to my TSW back then. I would bet my bank the best rigger in the land couldnt JB weld that to hold air, not even feasable.

kevink2

Agreed not ever welder could do "your" weld repair, especially for free.

I mostly agree on JB weld. My bro's friend hit something at speed in his Saab 900, and sheared off the small, cast aluminum boss where the drain plug was.

Bro's fix:

>cleaned it up,
>predrilled and screwed small metal screws in good alum around hole, leaving the screw head about .03" before fully seated
>wove wire across hole, using proud screw heads.
>pushed JB weld into wire mesh, and around hole.

Guy drove the car 3 yrs before selling. Used suction method to drain oil.

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kevink2

A dynamic account of the cracked wheel

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mikonuj

Thanks guys for all the feedback and advice. Though I'd like to go with a new wheel and tire, I just decided to go with a fix for now. There's a shop I found in LA called Rush Wheels and they do repairs for damages like this. I'm all set to pick up my wheel this tomorrow so we'll see how the turnout is and I'll most likely post some pics of the repair made.

Thanks again for all the feedback!!

Plastidipped lol

dcjwlee

Doesn't aluminum "stretch" when bent or cracked making it harder to repair?

Man, I always wonder why people don't buy the Safeguard Tire and Wheel Protection Package... Something like $850 at purchase for a lifetime of coverage on any tire or rim that doesn't hold air. ESPECIALLY, people with the AMG rims...

I got it even for my OEM 17's as well as the AMG 18 inch 6 twin spokes on the E coupe.

Could you tell me about what size the rock was and how fast you were going when you hit it??? My front left rim is vibrating and they won't replace it unless it's leaking air.....

mikonuj

i...did not even know they had a package like that available. figures, because, I didn't even know whether I had halogen or xenon lighting when i first got the car. lol.

I was approaching an onramp at about 40mph. the rock was about the size of a football. (that might even be an understatement)