Does a Deformed Car Wheel Hub Need to Be Replaced?
2 Answers
It can be repaired, but replacement is recommended. First, pad the dented area with materials like sponge or cloth, then forcefully hammer the dented part flat with an iron hammer. The flattened dent will inevitably be uneven. This is not a problem as you can use body filler (putty), typically used for leveling during auto body painting, to restore the roundness of the wheel hub. After smoothing out the uneven areas, use sandpaper to roughen the inside of the wheel hub in preparation for the next step of painting. Place it in sunlight to allow the putty to dry thoroughly. The subsequent steps are similar to car painting—spray the entire wheel hub. Since the original wheel hub has the natural color of aluminum alloy, which cannot be matched by any paint, the entire hub must be sprayed. Use automotive spray paint that closely matches the original color of the wheel hub to paint the entire inside. Wait for the paint to dry. Aluminum Alloy Wheel Hub: As a metallic material, aluminum alloy behaves like a wire that can be bent back into a straight line, but after two or three attempts, it will break. This is even more critical for a large wheel hub. If the wheel hub is forcibly restored to its original shape, it may look new externally, but its internal structure will be severely weakened. Moreover, if the repaired area is impacted again during driving, the wheel hub could fracture directly, leading to a serious traffic accident.
I found that deformed wheels must be replaced because it severely impacts driving safety. When driving, a deformed wheel causes tire imbalance, leading to severe steering wheel vibration, vehicle deviation, or tire blowouts. I personally experienced this once—a slightly deformed wheel nearly caused a loss of control on the highway, but fortunately, I handled it in time. I recommend regularly checking wheel conditions; even minor deformities can lead to bigger issues. Don’t attempt repairs—once the wheel material’s strength is compromised, it’s hard to restore. Safety always comes first, so if deformation is confirmed, replace the wheel immediately at a professional shop to avoid potential accidents. The cost is worth it—far cheaper than repairs or accidents. Additionally, avoiding potholes helps reduce the risk of deformation.
