Straightening a wheel lip
 

Hi Gents,

I bought a set of early 90s NOS round spoke Cragars for my Z and in transit one of the wheels sustained damages to the outermost lip. Pics below. Anyone have meticulous wheel guy who can help?

Thanks,
Dan

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psrgcwwt7n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...pstisleisd.jpg

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

If it weren't chrome Ive carefully hammered and brass punched them back into shape.

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

Dan
I have had steel wheels repaired by a local shop that does aluminum wheel refinishing. Their method appears to be gentle, no heat , might check the local exotic car dealers to see who does wheel refinishing. Also ask your chrome shop.

Paul

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

Thanks guys... from what i've research, the straightening process includes heating, and massaging back to spec. This is concerning as blistering, cracking, and discoloration may occur.

Friendly bump to those who know chrome straightening well.

Thanks,
Dan

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

Wish I could help, I've straightened a lot of stuff here at work with great results. The key is making a couple of dies to hold the rim and then reversing the direction of the dent, sometimes gradually other times all at once. Most likely the chrome will be marred in this area. I do a lot of SST and aluminum items but my last operation is to polish/finish them out. Weigh in the options of paying to straighten, then a possible re-chrome and your going to be upside down quick. Tape the area up with duct tape and give it some love. Hardwood (think baseball bat-ash)in front and behind and hammer the wood. Spinning it out would be even better. You have nothing to loose, it's already junk. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

Sorry man...


BIG

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

Perhaps this could work.

ACU-TRU wheel repair

I know nothing about this process. This is just what I found when I googled it. They only use pressure.

Good luck.

Marty

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

well I worked 20 years in the tire buisiness and have straightend more than I can think. although crude it involves a large hammer and something to protect the rim. Looking at this IMO a 2x4 would work fine as long as you dont miss the wood and it wont be marred having a wheel mounting machine would be good to hold the wheel still. Start soft and work your way up till you can tell its moving back till you get it where it was - this really isnt that bad off, I dont think it would take me 10 minutes to do. have you talked to local tire shop?

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

I have done a few with a large adjustable wrench working it in small increments but they were not chrome

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

Dan
The wheel repair professionals never beat anything with a hammer. They use hydraulic pressure. There are co's out there who will repair this wheel and it will be flawless but expect to pay $350-400 or more + shipping. Their expertise does not come cheap.

Forget rechroming..each chrome shop is different and the color won't match your other NOS wheels.

Re: Straightening a wheel lip
 

Dan, What I would do is buy a brand new Cragar wheel, lathe off the rim from the spokes on each wheel and transfer outer rims and have a certified welder weld it back. Put it on lathe and dial indicator it in, spot weld it then take it off and finish weld it.

The new Cragar wheels are different in spokes but the outer rim on the standard offset wheels is about the same.