will aluminum bend?
 

My brothers car got hit broadside at the left rear wheel. Now he says there is a vibration above 80mph. He thinks the wheel got bent and I was thinking aluminum would not bend it would crack or break. I think maybe the tire got a damaged belt. Any other ideas and what do you think about an aluminum wheel bending?

Aluminum alloy can definitely bend. It just depends on how it is alloyed with other metals. Different applications need different metallurgical blends. If you will look at side applications (trim) on cars , you will see how aluminum bends rather easily in some instances. I just hope my TFTW heads are a little stiffer than than that LOL.

Rev

just think of aluminum foil! Rev is right. i seen many aluminum rims bent before. get it balance. while it is on the machine, you can see if it is bent or a broken belt.

I slid my car parallel into a curb when I wrecked it. Both the rims that hit the curb were bent beyond balancing. I have Centerline AutoDrag rims. They are aluminum. So I have to get a couple new rims for my fastback....:(

You can always tell who the rookies are at the local Pony Stock races every year because they're running with aluminum mags. After the 3rd or 4th bent rim, they figure it out.



Take care,
-Chris

Ok guys, I knew aluminum could bend such, as aluminum tubing, just wasn't sure if a thick cast aluminum wheel could. Now I know. I'll tell him to try and have it balanced. Thanks.