VinceP

To my knowledge there is no difference in the 2 wheels other than appearance. I purchased a set of the 5 spoke wheels to put on my HHR for the next time I replace the tires. I have not fully investigated but it looks like the hubcaps may not interchange. The wheels I purchased were off a 2011 model and the hubcaps looks different from my wheels on the 2008 with the holes in them.

Hope this helps.

By the way, when you say you curbed it did you bend the rim or just scrape up the hubcap? If it is just the hubcap I may be able to help you out. I will not be using min when I install the wheels. If they are the same I would be glad to help you out.

Let me know,
Vince

donbrew

the plastic hubcaps should work on either one the '09s have holies w/the same wheel cover. There is a "heavy duty" 5 spoke wheel listed, but I have no idea what is meant by that.

Rain

Vince- sorry for the slow reply. Been trying to get back to the forum for weeks.

I hit a curb pretty good and bent the outer lip of the rim. The tire still holds air fine but I feel a wobble now. Its time for a rotate/balance. Perhaps they can tell me if the rim is toast or repairable.

sleeper

steel rims can be hammered back into submission, if it's just the lip.. Not hard to do.

firemangeorge

If you can feel a wobble. First thing , check the tire for a busted or seperated belt. If the tire is OK, then the rim is most likely bent and best bet is to replace it.
A bent lip on a steel rim can most times be fixed. A rim bent enough to where its out of round: Replace it.

donbrew

While I AGREE and have in fact beat one of mine into submission, I believe that USDOT and ASME have a much different idea. They seem to think that the welds could be affected and cause road shrapnel, I am not sure if it is illegal to do, but it is NOT advised.

Like I said, I have been riding on one for 220,000 miles, the only symptom is a small vibration between 58 mph to 62 mph when that wheel is in certain positions on the car, and who needs those anyway? (but I rotate every other week).... just sayin'.

firemangeorge

donbrew. ??? Not really sure what you're saying towards me.
Fixing a small bend on the lip isn't going to effect any welded area. Anything worse, you should replace the rim as I stated. In fact I said twice in my post to replace it.
And fwiw, I wasn't the only one to post about fixing a small bend on the lip.

donbrew

In the interests of not flaming, I will move this to PM.

I guess from now on, I will have to apologize in advance for agreeing.

donbrew

Read your PMs Firemangeorge.

firemangeorge

Uh. I did. Didn't feel the need to reply.