Steel Wheel Repair

Hi classic Alfa guys and gals - I hope you don't mind me interloping into your area, but I have a question you may be able to help me with.

I know that many classic Alfas have styled steel wheels instead of today's all-pervasive alloys, and if damaged you might be more inclined to seek a repair rather than outright replacement.

As some of you may have heard, I have recently had an altercation with an embankment and my nearside front wheel rim is buckled. The tyre is still inflated, so the seal hasn't broken, and no other damage is apparent. The wheels I am using are steel motorsport wheels, but they are no longer available in the size I require (7x15", ET16) from the manufacturer. As the damage does not seem too bad I am wondering whether you are aware of any companies in the UK who can deal with STEEL wheel repairs (there seem to be plenty who are geared up for alloys, for obvious reasons, but not steels).

Steel wheel repair shops appear to be legion in the USA, but that doesn't help me here. I cannot find another manufacturer of steel wheels with the right size and offset, so if repair is not an option I would have little recourse but to go for alloys and that would require at least an axle set at a cost of around £500, which is more than I want to spend right now. Plus it looks silly having alloys on the front and steels on the back, and I've got other problems like repairing the bodywork and getting a respray...

Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks classic car fans!

Lauren

So what's bent, damaged on yours then, spacenut?:

Depends on the extent of the damage? If it's rim damage, and it's not out of round, tyre off, then out with the oxy/acetylene, big hammer and dolly, need that torch support for quick, without turning off the gas, safe holding,(used on shrinkage/lead loading, puddling jobs,) so that you can whack the deformation while it is still plastic.

If its one of the two parts, rim and centre, may have to break the welds, and get the use of a powerful hydraulic press. Small bead tacks on re-assembly, then spin it up to check for truth. Not easy!!: Most of mine have been sortable by rim straightening, anything more than that often means major suspension deformation??: Good Luck.: