Is It Cheaper To Repair Or Replace Wheels?
When you look at a car's exterior, which part stands out the most? Many people would say that the wheels are the most eye-catching element of a car's appearance.
Car wheels are important parts that help make a car move. They’re also key to making any car look fabulous. To either point, having a damaged or broken wheel on a vehicle can be catastrophic. So, what happens when your Subaru's wheels get damaged? Should you replace your wheels or repair them?
Like most answers, it depends on several factors. In some situations, you can get away with repairing your wheels. In other situations, you have no choice but to replace them. We'll help you make an informed decision.
First, ask yourself these questions:
Which Part Of The Wheel Is Damaged?
Does your Subaru have wheel covers? If so, you're in luck. All you need to worry about is replacing the wheel covers rather than the wheels. Or if the damage is minor enough, you can just buff out the scratches and then call it a day. Sometimes scratches are just on the surface level and can be wiped away like it never even happened.
Often times, wheel covers do a good job of protecting the wheels underneath from dirt, rocks, and scratches. If you brush your wheels against a curb or drive through some rocks, those wheel covers are going to take the brunt of the impact.
If you have a wheel cover with significant damage, it’s probably worth replacing it instead of repairing it. Most wheel covers don’t cost a lot to buy brand new. This is especially the case when you order one online from us. We carry OEM wheels, covers, and related parts at wholesale pricing. For example, you can get this nifty 2017-2020 Impreza wheel cover for under 60 bucks!
If the wheel itself is damaged, a replacement would be more complicated and expensive than a wheel cover replacement. You still have the option to repair your wheels as long as there isn't any structural damage.
What if a small wheel component such as a wheel stud is damaged? It's always worth replacing it instead of repairing it. Small wheel components are quite inexpensive, and you'd be saving a lot of time by replacing them. Our catalog of OEM wheels, covers, and related parts contains small wheel components for a variety of Subaru models. Here are some of our best sellers:
Is There Any Structural Damage To The Wheel?
Image Credit: Impreza5
If there's structural damage to the wheel, you have no choice but to replace it. Most wheels with structural damage are irreparable. A wheel with structural damage (even the smallest crack) will fail sooner or later. When a wheel fails, you'll experience other issues with your car. For example, a wheel with structural damage can mess up your Subaru's wheel alignment. Some suspension components can fail, too.
Some of the most common types of structural damage on a wheel include:
- Bends (from hitting a pothole, for example)
- Cracks
- Severe gouging, pitting, or corrosion
If you don't see any structural damage to the wheel, you have the liberty to choose between repairing the wheel and replacing it.
What Does Your Budget Look Like?
If you can choose between repairing and replacing your wheels, you have several options:
- Repair the wheels yourself
- Have a professional repair the wheels for you
- Replace the wheels
It all boils down to what your budget looks like. In some cases, repairing your wheels is cheaper, especially if you DIY it. It's worth mentioning that DIY wheel repair jobs don't always look great. So if you value your car's appearance, either have a professional repair your wheels or replace them with brand new wheels.
The cost of the repair job depends on the severity of the damage. If there’s significant damage, repairs can become more expensive than a simple replacement. So if you're not sure which option would be cheaper, get a repair quote from a local shop. Also, check out our catalog of OEM Subaru wheels to figure out how much a set of new wheels would cost.
If you feel that it’s time to replace your wheels, this post may help you decide between alloy and steel wheels.