Hi folks,

Looking for some advice on replacing one alloy wheel.

I hit a massive pothole the other day, which caused the tyre to bulge out, necessitating a visit to a tyre place. Clearly needed a new tyre as the damaged one had a big bulge in the tyre wall and quickly deflated. Fine. When they got the tyre off, the alloy had a noticeable dent in it and they advised to replace it, in case it leaked. I now have my spare wheel on which is also an alloy. So what to do about the spare (with the dent)? It doesn't seem to have deflated so I could just leave it as the spare (since I have 5 alloys) or I could replace it with either a new alloy or a steel wheel.

Excuse my total ignorance on such matters but is there any issue in having a steel spare if you run on alloys? Clearly a cheaper option than buying a new alloy.

Hope someone can advise.

Thx

AA

No issue whatsoever, so long as the it is the correct size.

You could have the alloy repaired but I'd rather spend the money on a new steel wheel rather than possibly discovering my repaired spare has deflated over time.

There isn't any issue with bolt lengths? I saw this mentioned on the web in relation to Mercs but wasn't sure it applied to all wheels.

My wheels are 18inch and my spares a 16inch steelie from the factory.

All bolts are the same.

Providing you stick to genuine VAG wheels (Audi VW Skoda Seat) and keep the correct 5x112 PCD and ET (offset) you will be fine with the std wheel bolts.

Personally I would check the tyre pressure in the damaged wheel every week, if it does not go down any then keep that as your spare, if it does start loosing pressure then either repair the wheel or replace it with a steel wheel with a 205/55/16 tyre (this is the size the spare wheels come fitted with)

Cheers Eoin

I was a little surprised that I had an alloy spare! Clearly your model doesn't, which seems a little surprising. Maybe it is just the Elegance model, don't know.

Thanks for your help.

AA

Are you in Cork city or county? Love the place.

Sound advice - thanks folks

I'm living just outside the city but head west on a nice day and it's hard to beat

Edited 9 January, 201214 yr by EoinM

I'm living just outside the city but head west on a nice day and it's hard to beat

Lovely place - we visited twice last year for the day. Mutton Lane Inn - what a brilliant pub

Lovely place - we visited twice last year for the day. Mutton Lane Inn - what a brilliant pub

Great spot, really is a lot of little places like that around the place.

Go there every christmas eve for a few cold pints of the black stuff.

Great spot, really is a lot of little places like that around the place.

Go there every christmas eve for a few cold pints of the black stuff.

Beamish I hope! :beer:

Beamish I hope! :beer:

Murphys!

Also make sure that if you get a steel wheel that it uses the same seating type for the wheel bolts. I believe all VAG cars use radius seat (Ball seat) wheel bolts but popular for aftermarket alloys etc are taper seat (Cone seat) wheel bolts, - better to be safe than sorry.

Also make sure that if you get a steel wheel that it uses the same seating type for the wheel bolts. I believe all VAG cars use radius seat (Ball seat) wheel bolts but popular for aftermarket alloys etc are taper seat (Cone seat) wheel bolts, - better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks for the tip.