Cracked Alloy!

Eims83

Hey, any advice on this would be great.

I just spotted what looks like a hairline crack on my alloy on my front passenger wheel on my car. Anyone know how safe/unsafe that is to drive on? Also, as I hate alloys anyway, any idea how much a new plain wheel would set me back?
Thanks!!

Vicxas

It depends really, i would get it fixed ASAP. I had a very small hairline crack on my alloys and yer man in fast fit nearly refused to let me leave. They can explode at any time and are very dangerous to drive on. I got mine repaired for about 50 euro.

Eims83

Thanks for replying.
Can they just be repaired, not replaced? TBH id be happy to get rid of the allows and just have normal wheels, with hub caps, but always thought it would cost a fortune

ssshhh123

I'd say he just wanted your €50

Paddy001

Probably cost about 30 euro or more to get welded, if you choose this just make sure it is welded properly. If its a small hairline crack it would probably be okay to drive on slowly but a belt of a pothole could split it open so I'd put the spare on to be safe. You'd probably get a set of steel wheels for 100 euro with tyres at a guess

Owen

Very few people can weld alloys. It's not the same as welding steel.

MugMugs

ssshhh123 wrote: »

I'd say he just wanted your €50

50 isn't bad for a weld.

Eims83

Have rang around a few places, no one seems to know much about repairs, and even less about where you could get some 15inch steel rims ( so can just use hubcaps, believe me if you knew where I have to park, you'd see how alloys can get destroyed!). They can't be that hard to come by, could they?? Any ideas anyone?? Im in the dublin area....

challengemaster

What car and what size alloys are on it?

qvsr46ofgc792k

Got one done before xmas and your man did a great job, is Lusk/Swords too far fromn you? You will find people that do it but will they do it right is the issue? PM me if you want your mans number!

Eims83

challengemaster wrote: »

What car and what size alloys are on it?

Its a micra, 15 inch alloys

Nissan doctor

Eims83 wrote: »

Its a micra, 15 inch alloys

What size tyres are on the wheels?

With the greatest of respect, it may be your driving style/attention to the road that's the issue as opposed to the alloys. 15" alloys are small and, unless you have very low profile tyres fitted, wouldn't be prone to damage unless being heavily impacted off potholes(which, if big enough to damage 15inch alloys, will also damage steel wheels and can mostly be avoided) or kerbs.

I suggest this only as a possibility when you consider that many people drive on much larger alloys with low profile tyres on much heavier cars and don't damage them.

Eims83

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Eims83 wrote: »

Its a micra, 15 inch alloys

What size tyres are on the wheels?

With the greatest of respect, it may be your driving style/attention to the road that's the issue as opposed to the alloys. 15" alloys are small and, unless you have very low profile tyres fitted, wouldn't be prone to damage unless being heavily impacted off potholes(which, if big enough to damage 15inch alloys, will also damage steel wheels and can mostly be avoided) or kerbs.

I suggest this only as a possibility when you consider that many people drive on much larger alloys with low profile tyres on much heavier cars and don't damage them.

With the greatest of respect, it is EXACTLY because of parking that they are damaged, that is the reason I never wanted alloys on my car, but they were part of the package so what an you do. And before you judge my 'driving' abilities which you question, consider I live in a place without the luxury of a front garden to park in, on a busy street, with parking on both sides AND no room for anything bigger than a van to drive through, as proven recently when a fire engine was unable to make it down. So, with respect, Alloys are cheaper than replacing the side of my car. Hense I'm looking for advice on where to get steel wheels instead, so only hub caps will new to be replaced.

If I need/want critism on my driving skills, I'll be sure to ask you.

Owen

Parking won't crack an alloy. Is there any chance you could post a photo of the damage so we know exactly what we're dealing with?

challengemaster

How the heck do you crack an alloy while parking? o.O

Eims83

Owen wrote: »

Parking won't crack an alloy. Is there any chance you could post a photo of the damage so we know exactly what we're dealing with?

It the only thing I can think of that could have caused it, they aren't that old (well 2008), and haven't hit any potholes worth mentioning so no idea. Camera acting up, but it's about 1 and half inch diagonally across spoke at the wheel rim which crosses the spoke, so a bit afraid it's gonna collapse or something, prob not but it's not exactly my area of expertise tbh.

johnayo

Eims83 wrote: »

With the greatest of respect, it is EXACTLY because of parking that they are damaged, that is the reason I never wanted alloys on my car, but they were part of the package so what an you do. And before you judge my 'driving' abilities which you question, consider I live in a place without the luxury of a front garden to park in, on a busy street, with parking on both sides AND no room for anything bigger than a van to drive through, as proven recently when a fire engine was unable to make it down. So, with respect, Alloys are cheaper than replacing the side of my car. Hense I'm looking for advice on where to get steel wheels instead, so only hub caps will new to be replaced.

If I need/want critism on my driving skills, I'll be sure to ask you.

Cool down man. You are getting good overall advice. Nobody is even interested in critising your driving.

Owen

I promise it isn't your parking. Nissan Doctor was trying to be helpful by suggesting that unconsciously you might have hit a pothole at some point which could have started the damage off, and that it wasn't anything you'd done. I hit potholes all the time even though I try to avoid them

If you can get a photo, even from your phone, we'll all be able to help more. I used to refurbish alloys, so I'll be glad to help out if we can get a good look at it.

Nissan doctor

Eims83 wrote: »

With the greatest of respect, it is EXACTLY because of parking that they are damaged, that is the reason I never wanted alloys on my car, but they were part of the package so what an you do. And before you judge my 'driving' abilities which you question, consider I live in a place without the luxury of a front garden to park in, on a busy street, with parking on both sides AND no room for anything bigger than a van to drive through, as proven recently when a fire engine was unable to make it down. So, with respect, Alloys are cheaper than replacing the side of my car. Hense I'm looking for advice on where to get steel wheels instead, so only hub caps will new to be replaced.

If I need/want critism on my driving skills, I'll be sure to ask you.

There was no ego criticism intended, in my experience most people don't realise how or why wheel/tyre damage happens and a simple driving style/technique change could mean they don't need to spend money on new wheels/tyres etc.

My point was, if you are hitting kerbs hard enough to crack an alloy, then you have to be hitting them very hard so then you will also damage steel wheels just as much, perhaps not crack them, but you will buckle them. Tyre damage is also inevitable.

If you know the damage is being done on the kerbs then the problem can be very easily and cheaply solved as manoeuvring properly and slowly onto a kerb will not cause any damage to wheels or tyres.

I'm trying to save you money with advice(often the point of the motors forum) but if you don't want it that's fine.

Eims83

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Eims83 wrote: »

With the greatest of respect, it is EXACTLY because of parking that they are damaged, that is the reason I never wanted alloys on my car, but they were part of the package so what an you do. And before you judge my 'driving' abilities which you question, consider I live in a place without the luxury of a front garden to park in, on a busy street, with parking on both sides AND no room for anything bigger than a van to drive through, as proven recently when a fire engine was unable to make it down. So, with respect, Alloys are cheaper than replacing the side of my car. Hense I'm looking for advice on where to get steel wheels instead, so only hub caps will new to be replaced.

If I need/want critism on my driving skills, I'll be sure to ask you.

There was no ego criticism intended, in my experience most people don't realise how or why wheel/tyre damage happens and a simple driving style/technique change could mean they don't need to spend money on new wheels/tyres etc.

My point was, if you are hitting kerbs hard enough to crack an alloy, then you have to be hitting them very hard so then you will also damage steel wheels just as much, perhaps not crack them, but you will buckle them. Tyre damage is also inevitable.

If you know the damage is being done on the kerbs then the problem can be very easily and cheaply solved as manoeuvring properly and slowly onto a kerb will not cause any damage to wheels or tyres.

I'm trying to save you money with advice(often the point of the motors forum) but if you don't want it that's fine.

Point taken mate, cheers

Eims83

This is the best pic I can get

photo[1].JPG

Owen

Without seeing the damage from further away it's hard to get perspective, but it looks like a gouge in the paint which is filled with dirt. Any chance of a shot from further away?

johnos1984

challengemaster wrote: »

How the heck do you crack an alloy while parking? o.O

I can tell you've never done handbrake turn into a tight spot

Eims83

Owen wrote: »

Without seeing the damage from further away it's hard to get perspective, but it looks like a gouge in the paint which is filled with dirt. Any chance of a shot from further away?

Would be sweet if thats all it is, I'll be honest. Think ill be able to attach a better one. And remember,no heart failures from car lovers at the state of them, as above posts show, i have no interest in alloys AT ALL, my car is literally to get me from point A to point B! Just don't particularily want then to collapse while I'm driving 100km p/h on the M50!:)
wheel.jpg

Eims83

johnos1984 wrote: »

I can tell you've never done handbrake turn into a tight spot

Ha, I may know little about alloys, but that would definitely do it!

Owen

Eims83 wrote: »

Would be sweet if thats all it is, I'll be honest. Think ill be able to attach a better one. And remember,no heart failures from car lovers at the state of them, as above posts show, i have no interest in alloys AT ALL, my car is literally to get me from point A to point B! Just don't particularily want then to collapse while I'm driving 100km p/h on the M50!:)
wheel.jpg

You must have THE smallest camera going. But that looks like cosmetic damage. Not structural.

Alanstrainor

Take a close up shot and put up the full photo, those ones you have are tiny!

Eims83

Owen wrote: »

You must have THE smallest camera going. But that looks like cosmetic damage. Not structural.

Haha, I know, my iphone died, so using a brick of a phone, 088 style nearly!

Hopefully you're right, thanks for the advice. Gonna try ring around some more places tomorrow,see can I get some steel wheels just in case, fingers crossed, eh?

tazwaz

i know a 14" steel rim for a micra cost my dad in law 65 euro from a nissan main dealer. if you try a car dismantler for 15" steel rims from an almera (i dont know for sure if they'll fit a micra but you could check it out first)

Eims83

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Take a close up shot and put up the full photo, those ones you have are tiny!

This any better??
wheel 2.jpg

Eims83

tazwaz wrote: »

i know a 14" steel rim for a micra cost my dad in law 65 euro from a nissan main dealer. if you try a car dismantler for 15" steel rims from an almera (i dont know for sure if they'll fit a micra but you could check it out first)

Nice one, thanks for that. I'll check it out

Owen

Eims83 wrote: »

This any better??
wheel 2.jpg

Still tiny, but definitely cosmetic. I wouldn't be wasting my money on wheels you don't need.

Eims83

Owen wrote: »

Still tiny, but definitely cosmetic. I wouldn't be wasting my money on wheels you don't need.

Best this piece of crap can do obviously!
Cheers, thats what I wanted to hear just after christmas, one less cost in january is always good!

Thanks

Voodoomelon

Definitely not a crack, just some unsightly gouging.

Eims83

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Definitely not a crack, just some unsightly gouging.

Unsightly gouging I can definitely live with....

Dilbert75

From what I can see from the picture, it looks cosmetic to me too. My wife's car had a good few of similar scrapes when we got it and they've been fine.

If you do want to replace the alloys with steel at any stage, keep an eye on DoneDeal, Adverts, Gumtree, etc. You'll normally get a few people looking to buy alloys and willing to sell their steelies in return. Just make sure the fit is correct.

Nissan doctor

Certainly cosmetic damage only, the angle and curve of the damage show that it is from running the alloy along a kerb, not pothole damage.

This won't effect the safety of the wheel itself but you should be careful of the tyres as damage to them normally goes with wheel damage like that.

qvsr46ofgc792k

who cares how he cracked it, the point is he wants it fixed. Anyway if ya want that number let me know.

Nissan doctor

Kora Putrid Synthesizer wrote: »

who cares how he cracked it, the point is he wants it fixed. Anyway if ya want that number let me know.

Read the whole thread.


Anyway, realising how you cracked/damaged a wheel may help you prevent it from happening again.....if he had cracked it at all that is.