Fixing steel magnum rim with very slight dent (yes/no) ?

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67CBodyGuy

67CBodyGuy

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I bought 5 used magnum rims (14 inch x 5.5) about 4 years ago, the chrome was in good shape, there was some rust pitting on the bead contact area that I filled in and sanded down with jb weld, then painted with rustoleum. They are likely 30+ years old, I could post some pics of the stamping on the inside if that can be used to date them (I am curious). So I sweated over every inch of the beads on these rims. I did not notice that one of them was bent.

Last year I put tires on the first 2 rims. Looking back, I don't have much trust that the shop would notice or care or tell me if there were any problems with the rims. That shop does not do road force balancing (but that's not really a factor here).

A few days ago I took the second pair to a different tire shop, they do road-force balancing.

After mounting, the balancer said that there's a problem with one of the rims. When spinning it, you can see that it must have hit a curb or something because of a very small deformation in one area. Since I have 5 rims, I swapped in the last rim for this bent one, it had no dents so it balanced correctly.

The tire guy said there's a place in town that straightens rims, but these days it's going to be pretty much all aluminum rims. I'm wondering if anyone has had a steel rim straightened and if it's easier or harder than aluminum, or of a guy that straightens aluminum rims all day will know how to work with a steel rim.
 
My oldest son worked at a Place Call Rim Pros.
They did any wheel. They could order new centers or hoops and weld them on. Yes the welded and straightened steel too.
Like you found some just want to do minor repairs,then paint and toss on lathe. And clear coat.
 
I straighten them myself with an 18" crescent wrench. Spin it and mark it, a few minutes or repeating this and they are good again.

My experience is The aluminum rim shops will gladly take your money and do a crappy job straightening your steel wheel. I've had bad results with 2 different shops.
 
My brother has worked at Discount Tire for about 30 years...and they have a hand-held tool that use use.
He has straightened a few few steelies for me in the past.
 
I don't know why this guy / this tire shop didn't attempt it. Yea I can see how it's not hard with a few hand tools. Is it beyond Hunter to supply a few custom rim-bending tools with their balancers?
 
Now you are getting into a liability scenario. They would much rather sell you a new set of wheels, with their in store credit also!

And have you ever worked at a tire shop? They are busy as hell all day long. And if there is empty bays there are parts and supplies to put away, etc. very fast paced job, I don't see how anybody over early 20's wants to work there,
 
I straightened a steel Harley rim that clearly hit a curb (not me!). I did it on a floor press, supporting the good part on an angle and slowly pushing the bent part back out. It took a few rounds to get it right but it worked fine.
 
It all depends on the extent of the damage. Lips are easily manipulated but deeper into the wheel is going to require some hydraulics and specialized equipment. I ran a Bee Line wheel straightener for a bit and hated it. It was a sketchy process with less than desirable results. That was just me and being unexperienced. I'm sure a good hand with good equipment can handle the magnum wheel.

@67CBodyGuy Where did "Hunter" come into the equation.​

 
The dent was at the rim edge, I forget if it was front or back, but I think I can find it again if I look for it.

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I've looked on the web for rim straightening tools, I see lot that look like this:

41P5wFrVO9L.jpg


Some are thicker than others but they have the exact same claw ends. And they're not cheap - can be almost $200. I'm good for now, but the slight imperfection on this one rim is something I'll have to keep in mind and probably correct it if I ever want to mount a tire on it - like for a spare.
 
If it's on the bead I wouldn't even worry about it... Put a towel down. Whack it with a hammer and call it good. Especially if it's so minimal you can even see it
 

A little dent on the lip can translate into a deeper buckle within the wheel and even make it egg shaped. I've seen wheels bend in the center section without showing any physical damage.
 
I drive derby cars and have bent rims so bad the wheel is touching the hump. I've beat the beads flat and still put them on a car and put them on a car. Rims are incredibly strong. Wouldn't worry about it what so ever. If that tiny ding ever turns into anything more than what it is. You have the worst of luck lol
 
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