How Much It Cost To Fix Wheel Bent Inwards After Accident?
You were recently involved in an accident, but thankfully, you walked away from it okay. But you’ve noticed that one of your wheels is bent inward, which makes it hard for you to control your car safely. Now what?
If your wheel is bent inwards after an accident, the amount it will cost to fix it depends on how deep the damage goes.
Repairing a bent wheel can cost anywhere from $75 to $300 or more per wheel. However, if the damage is severe, the cost can be much higher, and in some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace the wheel altogether. If the wheels just need to be realigned, you may pay as little as $100 to $150. Furthermore, if the suspension or frame is bent, your repair costs could range up to $5,000.
Below, we’ll discuss all the costs associated with fixing a bent wheel after an accident. Keep reading to learn what you should be prepared to pay.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Wheel that’s Bent Inward?
Repairing a bent wheel after an accident may cost anywhere from $100 to $5,000. It all depends on what exactly needs to be fixed or replaced.
For instance, fixing a bent frame or suspension will probably cost the most. Fixing your alignment, on the other hand, will probably be the least expensive. Along with these three things, you may have to look into replacing the struts, axle, or lower control arm.
The first thing you should do after your accident is take your car (or have it towed) to a body shop. They will be able to tell you what needs to be fixed and may even offer an estimate on the spot. Below, we’ll highlight the average cost of a few different fixes.
| Type of Repair | Average Cost |
| Wheel alignment | $50-$150 |
| Strut replacement | $200-$800 |
| Lower control arm replacement | $500-$700 |
| Axle replacement | $450-$850 |
| Bent frame fix | $800-$1,000 |
| Bent suspension fix | $1,000-$5,000 |
As you can see, the cost ranges significantly based on the work that needs to be done. Let’s discuss what each of these fixes entails.
Wheel Alignment
A wheel or tire alignment does not actually adjust your wheels. Instead, it adjusts your vehicle’s suspension, which connects your tires to your car.
If you notice any of the following symptoms along with your bent wheel, you might need an alignment:
- Vehicle pulling to one side
- Vibrations within the steering wheel
- Steering wheel off-center when driving straight
If your accident was minor, it’s likely that the impact just knocked your tires out of alignment. Thankfully, this is a very inexpensive fix. It costs around $50-$75 for a front-wheel alignment, while a full alignment typically costs $100-$150.
Strut Replacement
Your struts are a smaller part of the larger suspension assembly. They are placed above the tires and move to smooth out any bumps or holes in the road.
If your tire has bent inwards, you likely have some damage to the struts because of their relative location. While driving with bad struts will just make for a bumpier ride at first, it can eventually wear down other components due to excessive bouncing and shaking.
If only one strut is damaged, you do have the option to replace it on its own for around $200-$400. However, it’s often best to replace them in pairs. A new pair of front struts generally costs between $300 and $800, depending on the vehicle you own.
Lower Control Arm Replacement
Your vehicle’s lower control arm is what connects your wheels to the frame. Like most parts of the suspension system, it reduces irregularities and noise from the road.
If your tire is bent inwards, your lower control arm is likely damaged. This is an incredibly important component to fix, as without it, steering your car will be difficult or impossible. In most cases, a new lower control arm will cost between $500 and $700.
Axle Replacement
Most vehicles have two axles: one that connects the front tires and one that connects the rear tires. It’s responsible for transferring power from the transmission directly to the wheels.
A bad axle can cause vibrating or grinding noises. You may also feel vibrations in your steering wheel or when you press the brake pedal. If a mechanic diagnoses you with a bent axle, it’s essential to get it fixed before you drive again.
Since your axle connects the tires on both sides of your car, a wheel that is bent inwards could mean that your axle is bent. If you need a new axle, it will likely cost between $450 and $850 in total.
Fixing a Bent Frame
One of the most severe problems that a bent wheel can signify is a bent frame. This type of damage usually comes from severe accidents, so if you were involved in a high-speed collision, you might want a mechanic to check out your frame.
Since a vehicle’s frame is part of its body, you’ll usually have to visit a body shop technician to have it pushed back into place.
These technicians use special tools and hydraulic machines to push frames back into place with a lot of force. It typically costs around $800, but may be more or less expensive depending on the extent of the damage.
Fixing a Bent Suspension
A bent suspension is often the most expensive cause of a bent wheel. If you believe the suspension is bent, take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.
They will use special tools to check both the camber and SAI angle, then use those numbers to tell you whether or not you have a bent suspension.
A full suspension repair is often necessary in this case. Because it’s such a big job, you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your vehicle type.
Will Insurance Cover a Bent Wheel?
Because your wheel was damaged in a collision, there are a few different scenarios in which insurance will cover the repairs. However, whether or not they will cover it, as well as how much of it they will cover, depends on your policy and your vehicle’s total value.
If Someone Hit Your Vehicle
You were driving down the road when, all of a sudden, someone hit your car and bent the wheel inwards. You exchanged insurance information with the other driver, and now you’re ready to file a claim for the damage.
In this case, the other driver’s liability insurance, which is required for all drivers, will probably pay for your repairs. However, this is only true if the cost of repairs does not outweigh the actual value of your car.
If it would be more expensive to fix the vehicle than you would receive from selling it, the insurance company may declare it “totaled.”
If Your Hit Someone Else
Accidents happen, and recently, you happened to hit another vehicle while you were driving. Now, what can you do about your bent wheel?
Obviously, you cannot use another driver’s liability policy to cover damage in an accident you caused. If you want insurance to pay to fix your wheel, you’ll need to have a collision policy.
Unlike liability coverage, which only covers the other driver’s vehicle, collision coverage will cover damage to your vehicle even if you caused the accident.
However, it often comes with a deductible. If you haven’t met your yearly deductible yet, your insurer will take the amount out of your total insurance check.
If You’re The Victim of a Hit and Run
There’s nothing worse than being the victim of a hit-and-run. When the driver who hits you speeds off before you can exchange insurance information or even before you can take down their license plate number, you may feel like there’s no hope of getting the damages covered.
This is when it pays to have uninsured motorist coverage. This policy is optional in most states, and kicks in when the driver who hits you does not have sufficient coverage.
It often helps to have a police report to give your insurance agent in this case, so don’t leave the scene without making a report.
Will Your Insurance Company Declare Your Vehicle Totaled?
Insurance companies are notorious for avoiding bodywork like the plague. Most of the time, they will decide that your car is a total loss and send you a check for its current value instead of paying to fix the damage.
Whether or not the insurance company you’re working with will repair your car depends mainly on its value at the time of the accident. For example, they’re not likely to shell out $5,000 to repair damage to a car that’s only worth $3,000.
Although this can be frustrating, it’s often better to purchase a new car than to pay thousands on a car that’s not worth much. You’ll get a check to cover your loss, then get a new, better-functioning car at a discount!
FAQs On Wheel Bent Inwards After Accident
Why is my tire bent inward?
If your tire is bent inward, it could be due to a few different reasons. like alignment issues, suspension problems, bent rims, or worn or damaged components.
Why is my car steering wheel not straight after accident?
If your car’s steering wheel is not straight after an accident, it is likely that your car’s wheel alignment has been affected due to the following possible issues.
1- Damage to suspension components
2- Bent wheels or rims
3- Shifted subframe
4- Uneven tire wear
How much does it cost to fix a bent rim?
The cost to fix a bent rim can range from $75 to $500 or more. It’s important to have your rim inspected by a qualified mechanic to determine the extent of the damage and what repairs are necessary. Driving on a bent rim can be dangerous and can cause further damage to your car’s suspension and steering components.
How serious is a bent wheel?
A bent wheel can be a serious issue for your vehicle, as it can cause a number of problems that can affect your car’s performance, handling, and safety. There are some possible reasons, like uneven tire wear, poor handling, vibration and reduced fuel efficiency, that a bent wheel can impact your car.
Is it OK to drive with bent rim?
We will not recommend driving with a bent rim, as it can be dangerous and cause further damage to your car. If you suspect that your rim is bent, it’s important to have it inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. They can determine the extent of the damage and what repairs are necessary to fix the issue. Driving on a bent rim can be dangerous, so it’s best to avoid doing so if possible.
What causes rear wheel lean inward?
If your rear wheel is leaning inward, it’s likely that there is an issue with the suspension system. Here are a few possible causes:
- Worn or damaged suspension components: Over time, the suspension components in your car can wear out or become damaged. This can cause the rear wheel to lean inward or outward. Common components that can cause this issue include the control arm, ball joint, and strut.
- Uneven ride height: If the rear of your car is lower than it should be, it can cause the rear wheel to lean inward. This can be caused by worn out suspension components or by carrying heavy loads in the back of your car.
- Incorrect alignment: If the rear wheels of your car are not properly aligned, it can cause them to lean inward. This can be caused by hitting a curb or a pothole, or by driving on uneven terrain.
- Bent or damaged axle: If the axle on your car is bent or damaged, it can cause the rear wheel to lean inward. This can be caused by an accident or by hitting a large object, such as a curb.
If you suspect that your rear wheel is leaning inward, it’s important to have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic. They can determine the cause of the issue and recommend the necessary repairs to fix it. Driving with a rear wheel that is leaning inward can be dangerous and can cause further damage to your car’s suspension system.
Wheel Bent Inwards After Accident: Final Thoughts
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact cost to fix an inwardly bent wheel because the damage could be due to several different problems. Some problems will cost as little as $100 to fix, while others will require you to hand over several thousand dollars.
Right after your accident, take your vehicle to the shop to have the damage inspected. Once you know exactly what needs to be fixed, you’ll have an easier time shopping around and weighing your options.
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