Are remanufactured OEM rims reliable?

[sifan]

My wife hit the curve twice on the same steel rim on my 2003 Toyota Echo and destroyed its tire. After putting on a new tire I drove it on the highway for 30 miles with average speed 60 mph, and then the tire became flat. I put on the donut spare and limped to a tire shop to put on another new tire. Again the 2nd tire became flat under the same condition after 30 miles on the highway. I hope the 2nd new tire can be salvaged since I stopped the car a bit sooner.

1) I guess the steel rim was probably bent causing air leak, but visually I could not tell if it is bent. Can you think of any explanation other than a bent rim?

2) Can a bent steel rim be repaired at a local garage?

3) Assuming the rim is bent beyond repair for a replacement, should I buy a brand new or remanufactured OEM steel rim? The price difference is about $25. Do you have good experience with a remanufactured OEM rim that you can recommend a seller?

Thanks.

 

[MParr]

Severely bent. The tire shop should have caught it and refused to mount the tire on the rim. Find a good used rim to match. Search the junkyards in your area.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Is $25 dollars a deal breaker?

 

[Linctex]

Make sure the stem isn't damaged. It is often overlooked.

I've worked on some farm/ranch vehicle with rims so bent you wonder how they still held air..... but they DO!

 

[ZebRuaj]

Arent those like 14" steelies? I wouldn't even sweat the $25 difference. Pay for what ever is more convenient and get on your way.

 

[BigD1]

http://www.car-part.com/

That website will hook you in to tons of junkyards for used parts.

 

[sifan]

On the internet a so-call new OEM rim costs $95 (not affiliated with Toyota), and a remanufactured $71.55. My local Toyota dealer is asking for $240.

A possible bad stem. I am taking it to a local gas station to have it checked out.

 

[Imp4]

A brand new steelie is about $60 online, maybe a bit more with shipping, here at Amazon and a used/reconditioned one here at Wheelsandcaps.com.
Pull-a-part list steel rims for $11.

Find one that works for you and avoid all the stress.

 

[sifan]

Originally Posted by Imp4
A brand new steelie is about $60 online, maybe a bit more with shipping, here at Amazon and a used/reconditioned one here at Wheelsandcaps.com.
Pull-a-part list steel rims for $11.

Find one that works for you and avoid all the stress.


I have checked both of them, but their rim size is wider than factory 15x5 like 15x5.5 or more. Not sure if this matters.

 

[Rolla07]

New online aftermarket is the way to go. Or scrapyard if you have another vehicle to get there.

 

[sifan]

Originally Posted by Linctex
Make sure the stem isn't damaged. It is often overlooked.

I've worked on some farm/ranch vehicle with rims so bent you wonder how they still held air..... but they DO!


I just got the call from the service manager of a local gas station, and it turns out to be a bad stem. I thought a stem was always replaced when a new tire was mounted. Apparently this was overlooked by the guy I bought the tire from.

Thank you all for your opinions. Mystery solved.

 

[sifan]

Originally Posted by BigD1
http://www.car-part.com/

That website will hook you in to tons of junkyards for used parts.


I used to buy parts from this site long time ago, and I totally forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[AZjeff]

You might want to go back to the guy who didn't replace the stem and cost you a brand new tire.

 

[sifan]

Originally Posted by AZjeff
You might want to go back to the guy who didn't replace the stem and cost you a brand new tire.


From the experience of the first flat I did not drive on the second flat very long. Good thing the new tire was not damaged which I just drove home with from the gas station. The leaking stem was a cheap rubber one. The new stem I got has a better quality with a vinyl sleeve on it. A lesson learned. I am thinking of having the stems of the other three tires replaced with quality ones.

 

[WyrTwister]

Glad the problem is solved .

I was going to suggest the bent wheel may have been cracked .

Still , I would shop for a good wheel from a salvage yard .

 

[geeman789]

Originally Posted by sifan


My local Toyota dealer is asking for $240 ...

For a 15 inch steelie ??? Gotta love the dealers parts prices ...

An after market steelie in that size will be MAYBE $ 50. Used OE should be even less.

 

[supton]

Glad you found the problem. I'm not sure if all shops replace the stem every time; if they advertise it, sure, but if they don't advertise it, it might be an upsell item. I've reused valves a couple of times but since I get new tires every 2 years typically, they are hardly old.

I'd think a badly bent rim would not balance very well, and would have been found when the new tires were installed.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by BigD1
http://www.car-part.com/

That website will hook you in to tons of junkyards for used parts.


A junkyard will be glad to sell you a dirty scratched used wheel for $60 plus $25 shipping when you can get a new aftermarket one for $50 delivered to your door.