Randy M

I had a nail in my right rear tire so I took it in to Skips here in Portland. They fixed the tire and proceeded to balance it. When it was was on the balancer there was a very visible flat spot on the inner side of the wheel. The wheel is a 18in turbo twist or technology wheel (solid spokes)whatever it came with my C4S. I'm taking it in today to have all of my wheels checked out and fixed if any of the others need it. I really haven't felt a vibration from the one wheel while driving. It does look worse than it feels though. He said that there is always a risk of breaking the wheel when trying to make it true again as the alloy doesn't have much memory. Anybody out there have good luck having their wheels fixed? TIA <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

Franklin229

Randy,
I found out that one of my hollow spoke wheels was out of round when switching wheel sets. I was surprised to learn that these wheels are not as durable as I once thought. Although I am pretty careful, the roads here in New England basically suck because of the abuse they get during the winter...Odds say that I will encounter this problem again unless I go to a more durable wheel. I would benefit as well from any folks with experience in this matter.

Tim Ashfield

I have never had an alloy fixed on a car but have seen some very good repairs made to bike alloy wheels. FWIW I would strongly suggest tracking down an alloy wheel repair specialist and seeking their opinion.

E. J. - 993 Alumni

<a href="http://www.wheelcollision.com" target="_blank">Wheel Collision Center</a>

<a href="http://www.audiworld.com/news/01/wheelrepair/content.shtml" target="_blank">Great article about repairing wheels</a>

You can also look in the back of Autoweek Magazine as they usually have 4 or 5 places advertising. Or finally, you could call a Porsche body shop and find out who in your area they use for wheel repair and then go visit them. Maybe even bring the wheel with you to show them.

Randy M

From that article it seems that I wont have a problem getting mine done. Thanks for that

Paul M

Randy,

When you say Skips, are you referring to Skip's Wheel Werks in Beaverton? They repaired curb rash on three, and refinished all four of my hollow spokes and did a superb job.

Franklin229

Ditto-Thanks for the information!!

Terry Adams

I had a hollow spoke 18" Technology wheel repaired at <a href="http://wheeltechniques.com/index.html" target="_blank">Wheel Techniques Campbell CA</a> . $210, very good job. Was severely dented on a pothole. Balanced perfectly. I believe the C4S came with solid spoke. PS I have to fix my avatar - too big.

Jack Ennuste

I got fixed my wheel about year ago. Wheel repairer told that Porsches alloy is like from another planet compared to others. Much stronger and lighter. Basically more complicated to repair also but doable.

I recommend to repair bent wheel because it doesn't vibrate on low (read legal) speeds. Last summer I was in Germany and my all balanced wheel started to vibrate at 190 km/h and so.

Ray Calvo

From what I have read and personal experience, depends on the wheel construction. If it's cast aluminum - forget it. Try bending cast aluminum and it'll break. Forged aluminum can be reshaped to a degree. I had the Fuchs OE alloy wheels on my old '84 Carrera for track use, and a tire shop I trust was able to bend one back into shape when I clobbered a curb in an autocross.

Probably best to ask the wheel manufacturer. OE Porsche wheels I am not sure about anymore.

John D II

The 993 series wheels with flat spots can definitely be repaired. My dealer found a flat spot on a rear hollow spoke wheel on my 993tt with the Hunter 9700 machine (considered the best). It was sent out and repaired for $75.00 and when subsequently balanced on the Hunter, the flat spot was undetectable. The repair company guaranteed to be within 3/1000ths or something like that. Note: It did not take much to flat spot the wheel because I could not recall anything unusual.

Also, my tech recently advised me that the Hunter 9700 has or is about to be replaced by a new, much improved version.