Ask Rim & Wheel Works!
In our last newsletter, we
asked for your
questions about wheel straightening. We've
had some very simple and some very complex
questions asked. The most often asked
question was: Why even straighten a bent
wheel?
There are a number of reasons to straighten a
bent wheel.
Although your wheel may be slightly bent
now if the wheel takes another impact in the
same area the already-bent wheel is much more
likely to crack. If it does crack you'll be
spending much more money to either weld or
replace it with a used or reconditioned wheel
than you would have to straighten the wheel
in the first
place.
Riding on a bent wheel can cause uneven
tire wear. All four tires can begin to wear
unevenly due to just one bent rim. This
uneven wear significantly reduces the life of
your tires. The vibration caused by a bent
rim can cause long-term damage to suspension
components and bearings as well.
A smooth ride generally requires that all
four rims and tires are parallel, a process
called "four-point alignment." An impact
which can bend a wheel will most often affect
the car's alignment, which can cause the car
to pull to one side or vibrate and also
affects tire wear patterns over time. It is
difficult to properly align a car with bent
wheels
The cost of straightening is less than
the cost of replacement including new,
reconditioned or used wheels. Reconditioned
and used wheels are obviously cheaper than
new. Straightening your wheels also
recycles, by saving a large amount of
aluminum that would otherwise be discarded.
Quick Links...
-
Rim And Wheel Works Homepage
-
Aftermarketwheels.com
-
BMW Car Club of America Boston Chapter
-
Nokian Tires
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Happy Summer! Time for Winter Tires!
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Hope you've all had as great a summer as we
have! I've just recently become a columnist for
the magazine of the BMW Car Club of America's
Boston Chapter, "Boston Bimmer", specializing
in wheels and tires. (What a surprise!) My
next two columns, in the August and September
issues are based on the cosmetics page of our new
web page (check it out at rimandwheelworks.com.)
Later, I'll be doing a two-part
article on buying reconditioned and used
wheels and having your own wheels
reconditioned. I'll be sending the
information out in the newsletter soon after
that (September or October).
Aftermarketwheels.com is starting to take
off, so if you're considering selling wheels
for this fall or winter, now is a good time
to list. (The half price $10.00 listing is
for three months and the $10.00 can be
applied to a wheel straightening.)
If you're thinking of putting on Nokian tires
this winter, this is the best time to buy. I
spoke to the national office and found out
that Nokian prices are going up in September.
We have no idea how much, but it's not a
surprise - September is usually when the new
prices go into effect for winter tires. If
you also have winter wheels that might need
straightening, it's a great time to get
everything done at once and be ready for the
snow. There's a coupon below for our Early
Bird Special. It's good until September
20th. If you have your winter wheels
straightened now, keep the receipt and we'll
install the wheels for free once the snow
comes. Such a deal!
Having 60 something degree days in August
usually predicts a heck of a winter. But
nowadays, you can't tell. It's just smarter
to be on snow and ice tires in the winter.
Your summer or "all season" tires aren't
compounded for the winter temperatures and
take a beating unless you've got on tires
like Nokian WRs. Remember, it's not just snow
that causes accidents, but ice too, and it
only takes one ice patch. We say this all the
time: The life of your car depends on the
engine and mechanics. Your life depends on
your wheels, tires and brakes.
Drive safely and enjoy the rest of the
summer!
Ina
P.S. Want a knit Ferrari? Try
this link!
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On Tires
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While we don't sell Chinese tires, we can
give you some information on a
recent recall on Chinese tires. Most of the
tires involved in the recall are cheap, "no
name" brands and most were sold
in and around New Jersey.
I've been informed by one of the national
tire wholesalers that Michelin is about to
reduce it's guarantee even further. We've
been watching their guarantee disappear over
the last few years. Check it out before you
buy.
Here's
a fun link from YouTube; Japanese
"researchers" roll various types of tires off
a ski jump!
If you've got a favorite link, you think our
readers would enjoy or appreciate, please
email us at [email protected]
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