Warning Signs Your Black Alloy Wheel is Failing
- Vibrations in the steering wheel or seat, especially at higher speeds.
- Unusual noises, like humming or roaring, that change with speed.
- Uneven tire wear.
- Visible cracks, bends, or dents in the wheel.
- Difficulty keeping the vehicle tracking straight.
- Air leaking from the tire bead.
How to Test If This Part is the Problem
- Visual Inspection: Carefully check the wheel for any visible damage, such as cracks, bends, or dents.
- Wheel Balancing: Have the wheel balanced at a tire shop. If it takes a lot of weight to balance, or can't be balanced at all, the wheel may be bent.
- Runout Test: A mechanic can use a dial indicator to measure the runout (wobble) of the wheel while it's mounted on the vehicle. Excessive runout indicates a problem.
- Tire Inspection: Check the tire for bulges, cuts, or uneven wear. Sometimes a tire issue can mimic a wheel problem.
- Swap Test: If you have a spare wheel and tire, try swapping it with the suspected bad wheel. If the symptoms disappear, the original wheel is likely the problem.
Common Failure Causes for This Part
- Impact damage from potholes, curbs, or accidents.
- Corrosion from road salt and other chemicals.
- Improper tire mounting or balancing.
- Over-tightening of lug nuts.
- General wear and tear over time.