Wheel damage
Kerbed or Broken Wheel Recovery in Birmingham
Clipping a kerb or hitting a deep pothole harder than expected can crack an alloy wheel, bend a rim, or damage the tyre without it being immediately obvious — sometimes the first sign is a vibration through the steering a few miles later, or a bulge appearing on the tyre sidewall.
We attend kerb and pothole damage across Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and the Black Country, checking the wheel and tyre on scene to establish whether it's safe to continue on a spare or whether recovery is the sensible option.
What to look for after a hard impact
A visible crack in an alloy wheel, a noticeable bulge or lump on the tyre sidewall, a new vibration through the steering wheel at speed, or the car pulling to one side can all indicate wheel or tyre damage from an impact. A bulge on the tyre is a particular concern since it indicates internal damage that can lead to a sudden blowout.
Why a bulge in the tyre is serious
A sidewall bulge means the internal structure of the tyre has been damaged, even though the tyre may still be holding air. There's no reliable way to know how close it is to failing completely, so a tyre with a visible bulge shouldn't be driven on, even for a short distance.
- Sidewall bulge — stop driving on it, risk of sudden blowout
- Cracked alloy wheel — can worsen and cause a slow air leak or sudden deflation
- New vibration after an impact — have it checked before continuing
- Car pulling to one side after hitting a kerb — could be wheel or tracking damage
What we do on scene
We'll inspect the wheel and tyre and, if there's a usable spare and no other damage, can fit that to get you moving to a tyre fitter. If the damage is more significant, or there's no spare, we'll recover the car to a tyre or wheel repair specialist.
Checking for hidden damage
A hard kerb strike can also knock the wheel alignment (tracking) out or damage suspension components even if the wheel and tyre look fine. If the steering feels off after the impact even once the wheel's sorted, it's worth having the tracking and suspension checked at a garage.
Questions we get asked
Is it safe to drive on a tyre with a bulge?
No, a bulge indicates internal damage and the tyre can fail suddenly, so it shouldn't be driven on even for a short distance.
Can a cracked alloy wheel be repaired?
Sometimes, depending on the severity and location of the crack — a specialist wheel repairer can advise, and we can recover you to one.
What if the wheel looks fine but the steering feels different after hitting a kerb?
It's worth having the tracking and suspension checked, since a hard impact can knock these out even without visible wheel damage.
Will you fit my spare wheel on scene?
Yes, if you have a usable spare and the wheel nuts aren't seized, we can fit it to get you to a tyre fitter.
Just clipped a kerb or pothole?
Call 07402 666 687 and we'll check the wheel and tyre and recover you if needed, anywhere in Birmingham.