Bad Day - Bent Rim & Broken Fog Light
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Bad Day - Bent Rim & Broken Fog Light
I was driving home from work. Not only did I hit a cabinet drawer (yes!) on the freeway, but I later hit a pot hole and bent my rim.
Here are the pics, and I'm going to need your help. Does anyone know how I can place my foglight back? Any experience or links to installation instructions?
As far as my rim, if I'm not losing any air from my tire, are there any negative things which could happen if I don't fix the rim?
If I do need to fix the rim, do you guys recommend any good shops (preferaby in northern California). Or do I need to replace the rim?
Thanks for your help...
Here are the pics, and I'm going to need your help. Does anyone know how I can place my foglight back? Any experience or links to installation instructions?
As far as my rim, if I'm not losing any air from my tire, are there any negative things which could happen if I don't fix the rim?
If I do need to fix the rim, do you guys recommend any good shops (preferaby in northern California). Or do I need to replace the rim?
Thanks for your help...
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From: San Diego
2004 E320
Damn, sorry to hear what happened to your car. As far as the fog light goes, it looks like it was jolted off its mounting points. Jack up your car and remove the black plastic skid plate and inspect your fog light housing from underneath. If I recall correctly, there should be 3 mounting points. If it's broken beyond repair, I guess you could try the classifieds or ebay.
Try this shop for rim repair. www.fixrim.com
If you're feelin lucky, might want to file a claim against CalTrans. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/faq/faq75.htm
Good luck with that.
Try this shop for rim repair. www.fixrim.com
If you're feelin lucky, might want to file a claim against CalTrans. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/faq/faq75.htm
Good luck with that.
Last edited by W211 Ryda; Mar 22, 2006 at 11:22 PM.
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by W211 Ryda
Damn, sorry to hear what happened to your car. As far as the fog light goes, it looks like it was jolted off its mounting points. Jack up your car and remove the black plastic skid plate and inspect your fog light housing from underneath. If I recall correctly, there should be 3 mounting points. If it's broken beyond repair, I guess you could try the classifieds or ebay.
Try this shop for rim repair. www.fixrim.com
If you're feelin lucky, might want to file a claim against CalTrans. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/faq/faq75.htm
Good luck with that.
Try this shop for rim repair. www.fixrim.com
If you're feelin lucky, might want to file a claim against CalTrans. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/faq/faq75.htm
Good luck with that.
Thanks for the link to the DOT. I was actually considering whether or not I could get the city to pay for my rim. What are my chances of being reimbursed??? Do I have a better chance at winning the lottery?
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From: San Diego
2004 E320
Originally Posted by tbone
Thanks for the information. Have you heard anything (good or bad) about the rim repair place?
Thanks for the link to the DOT. I was actually considering whether or not I could get the city to pay for my rim. What are my chances of being reimbursed??? Do I have a better chance at winning the lottery?
Thanks for the link to the DOT. I was actually considering whether or not I could get the city to pay for my rim. What are my chances of being reimbursed??? Do I have a better chance at winning the lottery?
From what I understand, you need to take a picture of the pothole and give them the time and date the incident happen. Of course the amount of time, effort, & money you put into it could be more than having it repaired yourself. If you're in no rush and don't mind using your stock rims for awhile, I would pursue the claim. Your rim doesn't look that bad, but I wouldn't be driving on them until you get it repaired.
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by W211 Ryda
Seen nothing but excellent reviews about fixrim.com.
From what I understand, you need to take a picture of the pothole and give them the time and date the incident happen. Of course the amount of time, effort, & money you put into it could be more than having it repaired yourself. If you're in no rush and don't mind using your stock rims for awhile, I would pursue the claim. Your rim doesn't look that bad, but I wouldn't be driving on them until you get it repaired.
From what I understand, you need to take a picture of the pothole and give them the time and date the incident happen. Of course the amount of time, effort, & money you put into it could be more than having it repaired yourself. If you're in no rush and don't mind using your stock rims for awhile, I would pursue the claim. Your rim doesn't look that bad, but I wouldn't be driving on them until you get it repaired.
So I need to take a picture? Hmmm, probably not worth the effort, as I bent my rim in Fresno (was there on business the last 3 weeks. Today was my last day, was excited to go home, and this happens), which is 150 miles away. I'll look into it more and see exactly what they require.
I've already sold my stock rims. What should I do now? Is it unsafe to ride on a bent rim? My friend has an '03 E55. His factory rims are in his garage. Would his front rim fit an E500?
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From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
I've used Wheels America the Chicago branch, Ask for Ramone They've fixed my Lowenharts twice now & did a great job.
Yes they have a branch in Calif. but even though there the same Co. the LA store sux! LA told me my wheel wasn't repairable I shipped it to Chicago Ramone hooked me up! perfect
and they have a liftime guarantee if ever there repair work fails.
Yes they have a branch in Calif. but even though there the same Co. the LA store sux! LA told me my wheel wasn't repairable I shipped it to Chicago Ramone hooked me up! perfect
and they have a liftime guarantee if ever there repair work fails.
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
My personal opinion is NEVER drive on a damaged rim. No doubt some folks will say how they have driven on worse...... Fine but it is unsafe.
If you must drive on a damaged wheel, then it is more safe....... on the rear.
Good luck with the repair, typical how a couple of weeks ago I was discussing problems that might arise with low profile wheels.
John
An overcast lunchtime in Torquay
If you must drive on a damaged wheel, then it is more safe....... on the rear.
Good luck with the repair, typical how a couple of weeks ago I was discussing problems that might arise with low profile wheels.
John
An overcast lunchtime in Torquay
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
Originally Posted by tbone
...are there any negative things which could happen if I don't fix the rim?...
You know how it is: one scratch goes unrepaired, then another, then another.. ..and before you know it, you have a ghetto-mobile!
Dude, don't think about, get it fixed. How could you live with yourself having to look at that rim every time you approach your baby? The pain!
GL.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Even if you are not losing air from the bend, repair or replace the wheel. If you (have to) corner hard, the sidewall of the tire flexes and without full rim support, you can lose air rapidly (like an old fashioned blow out), which could prove fatal, or worse cause you to lose control & damage your sheet metal.
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by lig
Ouch! Painful to see that, bro. Once you get your replacement wheel you might be able to just replace the outer rim half and have a backup or a bling-bling spare.
But leaning towards just replacing the outer lip and bolts.
I'm still getting over the shock, because my rims are just 2 months old!
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by tbone
Funny you mentioned this because I was considering this scenario...buy a new rim, repair my bent rim and use it as a full-sized (19") spare!
But leaning towards just replacing the outer lip and bolts.
I'm still getting over the shock, because my rims are just 2 months old!
But leaning towards just replacing the outer lip and bolts.
I'm still getting over the shock, because my rims are just 2 months old!
I have not bent any rims on the W211, but my Audi S6 has had 3 repairs (luckily on different wheels). It seems that after your aspect ratio of your tire goes bellow 50% or 55% rims bend very easily. That is why I only have 17s for the summer (I finally ordered the Sport wheels and I am waiting to wear out the OEM Contis).
Steve
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From: Bay Area
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Originally Posted by SAguirre
Just FYI, you will not be able to fit any tire in your spare tire well that is wider than 225. I have the impression that the rim you have (and tire size) will be too wide for the trunk bottom to fold down flat. I am always using one of my tires (either the winter wheel in the summer or a summer wheel in the winter) as a spare. They are infinitely better than the doughnut tire! My 16 inch 225 55s barely fit! I also got the part number of the basket that secures the rear spare in the trunk and keeps the stored stuff clean in the middle of the tire in the trunk. My W124 had this and I like it, so I got the number from a kind forum member in Australia who had this from the factory.
I have not bent any rims on the W211, but my Audi S6 has had 3 repairs (luckily on different wheels). It seems that after your aspect ratio of your tire goes bellow 50% or 55% rims bend very easily. That is why I only have 17s for the summer (I finally ordered the Sport wheels and I am waiting to wear out the OEM Contis).
Steve
I have not bent any rims on the W211, but my Audi S6 has had 3 repairs (luckily on different wheels). It seems that after your aspect ratio of your tire goes bellow 50% or 55% rims bend very easily. That is why I only have 17s for the summer (I finally ordered the Sport wheels and I am waiting to wear out the OEM Contis).
Steve
Thanks for the info. I have used full-sized spares in the past, and, yes, have not been able to fold the trunk bottom flat. I'm actually OK with this because 1) I rarely use the trunk 2) Would rather have a full-size spare with slanted trunk bottom than a doughnut with flat trunk bottom
It's so weird that, seemingly, not very long ago we were discussing selling my factory rims to you. I wish I had them right now!...Murphy's Law at its finest.
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Update
So, I've ordered a new rim. In the meantime, I've decided to straighten my bent rim so I can use it as a spare in the future.
I took the rim to Wheels America (www.fixrim.com), and they told me they couldn't straighten it because it was out of round.
So I called Wheel Techniques and asked if they could straighten a rim which was out of round, and with a bent lip. They told me they could.
Is it possilbe to repair a rim that's out of round? Does it depend on the experience level of the repair shop?
I took the rim to Wheels America (www.fixrim.com), and they told me they couldn't straighten it because it was out of round.
So I called Wheel Techniques and asked if they could straighten a rim which was out of round, and with a bent lip. They told me they could.
Is it possilbe to repair a rim that's out of round? Does it depend on the experience level of the repair shop?
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by tbone
I took the rim to Wheels America (www.fixrim.com), and they told me they couldn't straighten it because it was out of round.
So I called Wheel Techniques and asked if they could straighten a rim which was out of round, and with a bent lip. They told me they could.
Is it possilbe to repair a rim that's out of round? Does it depend on the experience level of the repair shop?
So I called Wheel Techniques and asked if they could straighten a rim which was out of round, and with a bent lip. They told me they could.
Is it possilbe to repair a rim that's out of round? Does it depend on the experience level of the repair shop?
I'm amazed.......
Your talking abour your life and that of your family and other road users!!!!
Dump the wheel, get rid of it.. PLEASE.
John
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by glojo
I'm amazed.......
Your talking abour your life and that of your family and other road users!!!!
Dump the wheel, get rid of it.. PLEASE.
John
Your talking abour your life and that of your family and other road users!!!!
Dump the wheel, get rid of it.. PLEASE.
John
This is why I'm posting the question, to find out if fixing it will result in a wheel which is safe to use on a temporary basis (I will be using it as a spare only). I have a NEW rim on order for daily use.
If unsafe, I will just chuck it, as you have stated.
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by tbone
John,
This is why I'm posting the question, to find out if fixing it will result in a wheel which is safe to use on a temporary basis (I will be using it as a spare only). I have a NEW rim on order for daily use.
If unsafe, I will just chuck it, as you have stated.
This is why I'm posting the question, to find out if fixing it will result in a wheel which is safe to use on a temporary basis (I will be using it as a spare only). I have a NEW rim on order for daily use.
If unsafe, I will just chuck it, as you have stated.
(maybe) I would not listen to any advertising claim, but that is me and again respect for asking the question.
