I have two wheels that need to be repaired.

One is a 1972 VW Baha World Champion special edition wheel.  It's a steel, 15 X 4.5" 10 spoke wheel.  The outer rim is straight, but doesn't run true to the flat center part of the wheel where the lugs are located. In other words, the spokes are bent.

The other isn't a VW wheel.  It's an aluminum wheel off our '98 Jeep Cherokee and has a damaged area on the lip of rim (back side) about 5 or 6 inches long . . . it has a chunk about 2" long broken out of the lip (I still have the chunk) and another 3 or 4 inches peeled back.

Do any of you know of any place in Chattanooga that repairs wheels?  I've searched the internet and found several places I could ship the Jeep wheel to and have it repaired, but I haven't found anyplace local.  I haven't found anyone, anywhere that straightens steel wheels . . . I'm tempted to try to straighten it myself on a friends press.

A new Jeep wheel from the dealer is $385!!!  :nervous:   This is a lease, and thank goodness we only have a few months left (never sign a 5 year lease on anything . . . especially if it's made by Chrysler)!  So, I've got to have this wheel repaired or replaced in the next few months.  I'm hoping to get rid of this Jeep without owing any extra, and this fall purchase a double yellow New Beetle convertible.



Edited By Zen on Jan. 11 2002 at 4:22

I've found one in a junk yard . . . for $125!  Still that's better than $385 for a new one.  It's hard to find a single . . . and if they have 2 or 4 they won't sell one.  The cheapest repair price I've found is one place that's web site said they would repair any damage on any alloy wheel for a flat rate of $119 plus shipping both ways (Miami is their nearest location).  They had some before and after pictures of some totaly trashed wheels they fixed, so I'm sure this one would be cheaper to repair if I could find someone local to do it . . . but so far I haven't.

So, I was about to settle on the junk yard wheel when Joy ran across one on eBay!  I got it for $54, plus $20 more for shipping.

If you can find out who or where to take this baja wheel to get it straightened I'd really appreciate it!

I did find a single wheel at Taccoa last fall.  It's in ok shape, but needs to be blasted and painted (it's some hidious shade of blue right now).  If I get my bent one straighened I'll have a full set plus the spare . . . now if I can just find some more of those stainless steel center caps . . .