The rim of a car’s tire is the metallic, circular “wheel” upon which the rubber tire is mounted. In most vehicles, the stock rim looks pretty simple. It only has four screws in the center for properly mounting the wheel, as well as a few spokes extending to the rubber. Of course, you can replace the rims with aftermarket variants, especially if you want to not only improve performance, but also give your car a sleek and stylish look. However, new rims are quite expensive. Because of this staunch reality, most people prefer buying used rims to save some money. Unfortunately, there are several important factors that you need to keep in mind when buying a used rim. The following guide will make it easy for you to choose the right set of rims for your car.
Weight
If you are changing the stock rims and looking for an aftermarket solution, it’s highly recommended that you first weigh the used rims. If the weight of the aftermarket part is greater than the original rim, it will affect the suspension and internal workings of the car. Look for rims that feature a lower weight in order to minimize the effect on the suspension, and to improve the car’s handling and overall performance.
Shape
One of the many reasons why people sell off their used rims is because they get bent out of shape. But do you really want to buy a misshapen, splintered rim? Workshops offer rim straightening and reshaping services to help refurbish broken rims. However, even after the rim has been reshaped, it can never achieve that “perfect circle.” The tire might shift after it’s refitted onto the rim, and it might not create the desired vacuum seal inside. This will cause the tire to leak air every few days, and you will feel the impact when driving as well; a bent rim will bobble on an uneven surface. To know more about used rims visit The Tire Shop.