# Rim Repair and Wheel Damage in Upland > Curb hit, pothole or a wheel that leaks? Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland inspects the rim, reseals bead leaks and tells you when to replace. Source: https://route66autorepairshop.com/tire-services/rim-repair Updated: 2026-09-17 Business: Route 66 Auto Repair, 1775 W Foothill Blvd, Upland, CA 91786, (909) 608-7699 Hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM–5 PM, Saturday 8 AM–2 PM, Sunday closed **TLDR:** We check the wheel for **bends, cracks and corrosion**. Bead-seat leaks can often be resealed; a **cracked wheel is replaced**, not patched. A pothole on Foothill Blvd or a scrape along a parking curb can leave a wheel leaking, wobbling or cracked. Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland inspects the rim for bends, cracks and corrosion, repairs the leaks that can be safely repaired, and tells you plainly when a wheel should be replaced instead. You see the damage in photos before you decide. ## What kinds of wheel damage do we see? - Bead-seat corrosion: white, crusty aluminum oxide under the tire edge that breaks the air seal. - A bent inner or outer lip from a pothole, often leaking at one spot. - Radial or lateral runout that causes a vibration even after balancing. - Cracks near the spokes or lip, sometimes only visible with the tire off. - Curb rash on the face, which is cosmetic unless it reaches the bead area. ## Repair or replace the wheel? Corrosion at the bead seat is the most common rim leak and usually the most fixable. We dismount the tire, clean the seat back to sound metal, apply bead sealer and remount. Minor lip damage that does not affect the bead may seal the same way. A cracked wheel is a safety part that we replace, not weld. A bend that causes a leak or vibration we cannot correct also points to replacement. Your written estimate shows every step and the options, including a matching replacement wheel. If the impact was hard, we also check the tire for sidewall damage and the suspension for bent parts. ## Our rim inspection process 1. **Leak and spin test:** The wheel is water-tested and spun to check runout and find the damage. 2. **Tire off, rim cleaned:** We dismount the tire and inspect the bead seat and inner barrel for cracks. 3. **Decide with you:** Photos and a written estimate show whether a reseal is possible or the wheel must be replaced. 4. **Reseal or replace:** The approved fix is done, then the wheel is balanced, torqued and road-tested. ## What's included - Water test and runout check - Inner barrel and bead seat inspection - Corrosion cleanup and bead sealer when repairable - Balance and torque after the fix - Photos of any bend or crack ## Need-now or need-later? **Need now:** - Any crack in the wheel - A bend that causes fast air loss or a heavy shake **Need later:** - Cosmetic curb rash away from the bead - A slow bead leak you can manage with weekly air checks ## How pricing and timing work A bead reseal is priced like a tire dismount and remount with cleaning and sealer. Replacement wheels vary widely by vehicle and availability, which can add time. AAA members save 10% on parts and labor, up to $75. If the pothole also knocked the steering off center, see [toe angle correction](https://route66autorepairshop.com/tire-services/toe-angle-correction). For a leak that turns out to be the tire, see [tire repair](https://route66autorepairshop.com/tire-services/tire-repair), and for a lingering shake, [tire balancing](https://route66autorepairshop.com/tire-services/tire-balancing). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a bent rim be driven on? A small bend that holds air may be drivable for a short time, but it can cause vibration and wear. A bend with air loss or any crack should be fixed before more driving. ### Why do aluminum wheels leak more as they age? Moisture and road salt from mountain trips corrode the aluminum under the tire bead. The corrosion lifts the tire edge slightly and air escapes. Cleaning and sealing the seat usually solves it. ### Do you fix curb rash? Cosmetic refinishing is not something we list as a service. We check whether the rash reaches the bead or causes a leak, which is the part that matters for safety. --- Call (909) 608-7699 or visit https://route66autorepairshop.com/contact for a written estimate.