18" Rims Bend Easily?

[es99cobra]

So it seems its been pretty easy for us to bend the rims on our Mazda 6. We have the GT package with the 18s. We keep bending them mildly on the inside just enough to give us a slight vibration. We don't even know when it's happening. Mild potholes is the only thing we can think of that may be doing it. Is this a common issue for others with the GT 18s? Or are we just unlucky?

We've went through two sets now. I'm thinking it may be time to go to an aftermarket rim now. Maybe I can find a set that is tougher on the inside lip.

 

[i8urgti]

oem rims bending? you must be hitting craters, not your average pot holes

 

[vrspeedemon]

I've seen a lot of bent oem 18" "y spoke" optional wheels.
Not sure if it's a design flaw or just the lower profile tires not offering enough "cushion"

 

[es99cobra]

I've seen a lot of bent oem 18" "y spoke" optional wheels.
Not sure if it's a design flaw or just the lower profile tires not offering enough "cushion"

Yeah, these are the y spoke rims. That figures. Anyone else out there having trouble with their y spoke rims? I'm wondering if this is a pattern.

 

[es99cobra]

oem rims bending? you must be hitting craters, not your average pot holes

Ha! Nope, we don't live in Detroit. (rlaugh)

 

[Mistersix]

i had new tires put on not to long ago and the tech came and got me. showed me two wheels with a nice flat spont on the inside bead.

says he sees it all the time. though i dont remember smackin any big pot holes.

 

[i8urgti]

i had new tires put on not to long ago and the tech came and got me. showed me two wheels with a nice flat spont on the inside bead.

says he sees it all the time. though i dont remember smackin any big pot holes.

thats kind of scary

 

[tunersteve]

Hey now! Detroit isn't as bad as people think for roads.

What's the tire profile on the 18" wheels? The MS6 guys are running 215/45/18s and usually switch to a 225/40 or 225/45 for aftermarket tires and don't have issues with damaging tires. I had my main set (the ones that came with my car, which have about 30k on them) balance and all were very very close to dead on.

I'd definitely suggest looking into a different wheel, or getting some wheel insurance on them ASAP to prevent any cost to yourself in the future.

 

[es99cobra]

i had new tires put on not to long ago and the tech came and got me. showed me two wheels with a nice flat spont on the inside bead.

says he sees it all the time. though i dont remember smackin any big pot holes.

That's exactly how we found out about our first bent rims. They said it would balance out, but would cause some vibration, especially if put in the front. They did cause some mild vibration as they stated it would.

 

[es99cobra]

Hey now! Detroit isn't as bad as people think for roads.

What's the tire profile on the 18" wheels? The MS6 guys are running 215/45/18s and usually switch to a 225/40 or 225/45 for aftermarket tires and don't have issues with damaging tires. I had my main set (the ones that came with my car, which have about 30k on them) balance and all were very very close to dead on.

I'd definitely suggest looking into a different wheel, or getting some wheel insurance on them ASAP to prevent any cost to yourself in the future.

Hahaha. I really don't have any experience with Detroit's roads myself. I just have to go on what the car mags seem to always say.

As for tire size, I'm running the stock 215/45/18s. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't adding millimeters to the first number just add width? I think the only way I can add more cushion to the rims would be to run 50 series tires. I may have that wrong though.

I hadn't thought about the wheel insurance thing. Might be worth looking into.

 

[tunersteve]

Hahaha. I really don't have any experience with Detroit's roads myself. I just have to go on what the car mags seem to always say.

As for tire size, I'm running the stock 215/45/18s. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't adding millimeters to the first number just add width? I think the only way I can add more cushion to the rims would be to run 50 series tires. I may have that wrong though.

I hadn't thought about the wheel insurance thing. Might be worth looking into.

The second # is a ratio of the first. If you increase the first (width), you also increase the sidewall height proportionally. A 225/45/18 might be a better (and more common sized) option. By doing so, you gain a few mm of sidewall (97 vs. 101) and only impacts your speedo 0.7 mph at 60 mph.

Check out this site for a little help on comparing tire sizes:

http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

 

[Mistersix]

cool website steve, thanks!!!