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Off-Roading Wheels: Size Isn’t The Only Thing That Matters

6/30/2019

Off-Roading Wheels: Size Isn’t The Only Thing That Matters

Here at Phoenix Rim Repair we see trucks, SUVs and Jeeps with big wheels that have been bent or damaged while off-roading or require some powder coating for that extra eye-pop effect. But properly outfitting your vehicle to enjoy unpaved terrain might involve more than you realize.

Bigger is Better
Yes, when upgrading to larger rims and tires, the bigger the better, especially for those who want solid off-road handling and grip. For this reason, the suspension will need to be lifted. A lift of just an inch or two will provide room for bigger wheels. The diameter needs to clear the brakes or else you’ll be going nowhere.
Don’t forget that the wheel and tire upgrade will weigh more and may affect the daily performance of your engine when it comes to speed. That doesn’t matter much though when you are off road at going slower speeds.

What is Backspace?
When it comes to off road rims, you need to be concerned about more than just the diameter and width of the wheel. Consider backspacing – it is the measurement of the space between the mounting face and the inside edge of the wheel. Your lift kit will let you know the maximum amount of backspace allowable. That’s because as backspace increases, the wheel moves further into the wheel well. For off road rims, you want to decrease backspace and move the wheel away from the well for maximum balance.

Offset, What?
In addition to diameter, width and backspacing you’ve got to consider offset as well. Offset measures the distance between the center of the wheel and the mounting surface. Backspacing is measured in inches and offset is measured in millimeters. When you are upsizing for off road rims, you will want to decrease the offset from OEM to move the wheel further out on your vehicle. A decreased offset provides more space between the inside edge of the tire and the suspension. It may take a zero or negative offset to push the wheel far enough out for adequate clearance.

Alloy is King
You want a tough alloy wheel for off-roading. Alloy wheels will provide durability and strength without added weight. Steel might seem like a better choice but it is far too heavy. You may save over 10 pounds per wheel in unsprung weight by going with alloy over steel. Forged aluminum will generally weigh less than cast. Those terms refer to how the material is formed into the wheel.

Once you’re equipped, this site will help you find places in Arizona where you can test out your spiffy new wheels. And if any damage should happen to your rims, you know where to bring your ride to get your wheels like new again.

Check out what we’ve been up to on Instagram and follow us on Facebook.

Photo Credit: NeonBrand

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Stop! In the Name of Love: Brakes

5/31/2019

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Stop! In the Name of Love: Brakes

Screech. Sqeak. Sqqqk. Embarrassing car sounds.

Sometimes they are a minor annoyance, sometimes it’s very embarrassing.

We’re talking about noisy brakes.

Most modern brakes are disc brakes. These cast-iron discs are squeezed between two brake pads that provide the level of friction necessary to bring the wheels to a stop. It’s important to know that you should never expect to have complete silence from your breaks at all times. In fact, if you have high-performance carbon-metallic brake pads installed, they are actually prone to making noise. Original brake pads will make less noise, but pay attention to older brakes that may be noisy due to needing to be replaced.

Common Causes of Brake Noise Include:

Worn Pads
Brake pads undergo a tremendous amount of stress every time you apply your brakes. If you’re like most people, this stress is happening many times, every single day. Over time, the pad will naturally wear down and need to be replaced.

Brake pads come with a built-in wear indicator. In fact, there are different kinds of indicators. A mechanical indicator makes noise to signal that it is time to replace the pads. If you wait too long, you are risking further damage to your vehicle and yourself.

As brakes heat up, they become noisy and less effective. Brake pad-related noise is often caused by the metal in the pad. To minimize noise from your brake pads, use pads that contain more organic brake material (Kevlar, resin, rubber, fiber, etc).

Whatever type of brake pad you choose can easy and affordable fix. However, if you allow the pads to wear down for too long, you risk damaging the rotor, which is not so cheap to replace.

Pad Vibration
If the brake pads are vibrating against the rotor, that may be what is causing the noise. This may happen just before your vehicle comes to a complete stop. There are a few ways to counter this problem. Brake damper pads might do the trick, or you could try an anti-squeal compound that comes in a spray or liquid-application form.

Brake Rotor Rust
A layer of surface rust can occur very quickly, since the rotors are exposed to the elements. Many modern wheels are designed in such a way that the vehicle’s rotors are easily visible. While rotor rust can be an eyesore, it doesn’t pose much of a problem.

As mentioned, you can expect some occasional sounds from your brakes. However, if you feel it’s something beyond the norm, it’s wise to have your brakes checked out by a professional brake specialist.

At Phoenix Rim Repair, we not only service rims, color-coating wheels, and wheel repair, we know other great professionals in the auto industry. Great looking wheels are one thing, but having a safe vehicle with working brakes and parts is the complete package. We can typically provide recommendations for certain services not in our range of expertise.

What are you waiting for? Fill out an easy quote form and we’ll contact you quickly with a full quote.

Photo by Daniel Minárik on Unsplash

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All Bent Out of Shape

4/28/2019

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All Bent Out of Shape

It has happened to all of us – a chewed or bent rim. The wheel is seriously bent out of shape, and so are are we about it. Not only are bent wheels and rims unsightly, and potentially dangerous, a damaged rim can cause performance issues as well. Most of the time a bent rim can be repaired, but in some cases it is advisable to replace the wheel outright. Fill out our fast quote form and we can determine the difference based on your photos. We can straighten that rim for you for a fraction of the cost of a replacement.

If one or more of your rims are bent, it can cause the following problems:

Unnecessary suspension wear and tear
Vibration or a shaking steering wheel syndrome
Inconsistent, premature tire wear

At Phoenix Rim Repair, it is all in our name. Our qualified techs can restore your bent rim quickly.

Advantages of wheel straightening are:

Less wheel damage = more safe
Maintain and restore wheel surface finish
Car looks more attractive, no visibly damaged wheels
Cost efficient

Perhaps the rim is severely cracked or damaged beyond repair, or would present a safety concern. This is not a problem, we have resources and can help you find a reasonable wheel replacement. Our goal is to help you have a great looking wheels no matter what kind of car you drive. We want you to get back out onto the road as fast as possible.

Call or fill out our quick quote form and see what we can do for you!

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The Sun is Shining, it is Time for Your Wheels to Shine Too! Refini-shine-ing!

3/30/2019

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The Sun is Shining, it is Time for Your Wheels to Shine Too -
Refini-shine-ing!

With the warmer months approaching, it is the perfect time for spring cleaning your wheels and thinking about refinishing them to give them a fresh, shiny, eye-catching look that will last for many seasons to come.

This month we are answering some common questions about wheel refinishing.

Won’t Wheel Refinishing Fade?

The longevity of wheel refinishing depends largely on the quality of work and how and where you drive. If you use dirt roads, hilly areas or unkempt roads with debris and hazards every day, then your wheels will experience much more potential damage than someone who drives predominately on city highways for short distances, for instance. Your wheels can also begin to look bad if you are constantly in stop-and-go traffic – brake dust will begin to build up on the surface of your wheels and start to affect the finish and vibrancy of your wheel surface.

In addition to where you drive and how often, being careless while driving can cause your wheels inadvertent curb rash and other dents and dings due to driver-inattention that will need to be repaired in addition to a refinishing coating for your entire wheel. Being cautious when driving with distractions in the car – passengers, mobile phone use, being sleepy or drinking alcohol, poor weather conditions, etc. – can help keep your wheels free from damage.

In addition, getting a high-quality wheel refinishing job done can make a big difference. Here at Phoenix Rim Repair, we see a lot of wheels come in with prior shoddy refinishing work done, from poor welding jobs, to coating just one face of the wheel (the outer facing wheel instead of the whole wheel inside and out), to air-bubbles and other defects that could be avoided if the proper time and attention was taken while improving and protecting the wheel.

Why Spend the Money on Wheel Refinishing?

Wheel refinishing might seem costly depending on what size and type of wheels you currently have (and what prior damage might need to be repaired). Prior dents, dings, rust, straightening and other damage can add to the cost of your refinishing. Chrome 24-inch wheels on an SUV will of course cost more than standard 13-inch alloy wheels on a sedan.

However, wheel refinishing is not nearly as costly as other automobile services, repairs or replacements. Wheel refinishing is a good investment – protects and improves your wheels and enhances the overall appearance of your vehicle.

The cost to refinish is worth it, especially if you work the with best in Phoenix – Phoenix Rim Repair – we guarantee all of our work. And if you happen to get a scratch or ding in the future we can always refinish one wheel at a time, as needed, just snap a photo of your damaged wheel and fill out our easy quote form and we can provide you a quote.

The fresh look of refinished wheels through priming, clear coating, painting and other services is worth the money if you want your car to look ready for a show room, or a hot date.

Follow us on Instagram to see what we're up to and what we can do for you!

Phoenix Rim Refinishing Repair Best Porsche

A recent wheel job here at Phoenix Rim Repair - the best wheel refinishing in Arizona.

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Phoenix: We’ll Help You Pimp Your Ride, Starting with the Wheels

2/7/2019

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Phoenix: We’ll Help You Pimp Your Ride, Starting with the Wheels

If you have been following us on Instagram, Facebook or this blog, you know by now that color-coating is a popular and easy way to upgrade the appearance of your ride. Check out this Cadillac we worked on recently. Black, on black, on black – we took it from basic to bold!

Cadillac Tesla Porsche Honda wheel color coating black Phoenix AZ

We're proud of this beauty. All of our work is always guaranteed.

The right customization can add color and character to a car to make it your own.

There are three ways you can do this:

Powder Coating
A technique specifically for metals that sprays a thin layer of powder onto the wheel’s surface. That powder is baked on to achieve a uniform durable finish. This technique is used to repair dings and scratches or to match your wheel’s existing color.

Color Details
Pin-striping wheel details and edges, and brake caliper coating are two ways to add unique pops of color to your wheels. Or color the whole wheel into a custom color you select here at Express Color Coating/Phoenix Rim Repair.

Finishes
Common wheel finishes are chrome, machine polished and powder color-coated wheels. Each gives your vehicle a distinct look to set it apart from the rest. Don’t be basic!

Some prefer to refine and refinish their original wheels, while others ramp up their vehicle personality and presence on the road by adding bold colors to turn heads.

Know Before You Go
First, know the size of your wheel because it’s diameter needs to match your tires. You can find that on your tire. You’ll also want to know your wheel’s offset, or the distance between the hub mounting surface to its center line. If the new wheel has a different offset from what you’re using now, the tires may rub on the inside or outside, eventually causing tire failure.

Wheels also come in a variety of materials. For example, alloy wheels are lighter than steel wheels, which will give you speed and also reduce the heat the brake system endures.

If you’re unsure of how to measure your wheel or what type you want, bring your car by Phoenix Rim Repair and Express Color Coating and we’d be happy to take a look and give you a quick quote.

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How to Survive a Road Trip this Winter

1/7/2019

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How to Survive a Road Trip this Winter

The last slightly measurable dusting of snow in the Phoenix area happened in 1998, but that doesn’t mean that places just a few hours away like Prescott and Flagstaff don’t get a good share of snowfall every winter.

Many people choose to forego the crazy airport chaos and instead decide to drive to see family and friends over the holidays or during a winter vacation.

We want to help you out with safety on the road in snowy and wet conditions, (after all we wouldn’t want you to be in an accident, and ruin those wheels!).

Tire Tread & Pressure Check
Start by checking the tread of your tires. A quick check can be performed with a penny. Insert your penny into the tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down, facing you. If you can see all of Abe’s head, your tread has worn down to less than the recommended 2/32 inch and it’s time to replace your tires.

Next, check your tire pressure – as temperatures drop, so does the pressure in your tires. For every 10 degrees the temperature drops, your tires will lose air pressure. Having properly inflated tires is not only good for your safety, but also good for gas mileage.

Invest in Good Wipers
It’s difficult to drive safely if you can’t see. Don’t wait to replace your windshield wipers if yours are streaking, skipping, or smearing. Most auto shops and retailers can look up the proper size for your year, make, and model of car. The last thing you need is to be on a slick road with poor visibility.

Slow and Steady Wins the Winter Road
You and everyone else on the road who is stuffed full of eggnog and holiday food (or eager to go eat it) just want to get to where you are going. We get it. However, speed is your enemy in rainy or snowy conditions. It’s time to slow down and use caution. This can help increase traction in the slush and snow. Everything will take a little longer on wet pavement than on dry pavement, so when turning, stopping, and when driving in general, slow it down.

Avoid Cruise Control
Using cruise control in inclement weather conditions is not recommended. Road hazards (including other inexperienced-in-weather drivers) are heightened and your foot needs to be ready for action! In addition, using cruise control while driving on wet roads can increase the chances of hydroplaning.

Headlights Help
Visibility in the winter is often low thanks to daylight savings time, fog or mist. Keep your headlights on to increase your visibility to other drivers and to avoid low visibility dangers.

Take a Raincheck
If the weather is particularly nasty, try to wait it out or avoid it all together. Fewer people on the road during less than ideal conditions improve safety for everyone, and can provide just the excuse you needed to have a cozy day inside by the fire/space heater/radiator sipping spiked eggnog.

Lastly, winter and rainy conditions can cause minor scrapes and dings to your wheels because it can be harder to control your vehicle in those conditions. We are always here to repair or refinish your wheels should they succumb to any damage on that winter trip you took.

Don’t delay! Snap a couple of photos of your wheels and fill out our quote form and we’ll respond typically within a day.

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What’s Shaking? Is It Your Steering Wheel?

12/31/2018

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What’s Shaking? Is It Your Steering Wheel?

A common complaint we hear here at Phoenix Rim Repair is a shaking, or vibrating steering wheel. This can be an easy fix most of the time, but sometimes there is some additional investigative work that needs to be done in order to figure out what the issue is. So many things can cause a steering wheel to shake. If the problem isn’t addressed quickly, it can result in additional damage and require expensive repairs. No one likes expensive! Read below to discover ways you can avoid a shaking steering wheel.

Check for Loose Parts:
Inspect and adjust any inadequacies - nuts, bolts, fittings, positioning, etc. Have your tires rotated and balanced every 5,000 miles.

Regular Wheel Alignment:
Annually, or each time you purchase new tires or have some sort of tire-related maintenance performed, be sure to obtain a digital, professional all-wheel alignment.

Invest in Proper Tires:
If you are living in a cold or warm climate most of the time, seasonally-appropriate tires can make a world of difference. Invest in a quality tire that is designed for your city’s terrain and climate.

Regular Check-ups:
Every 4,000 miles (or whatever the recommended service is for your vehicle or tires), take your vehicle to visit a professional auto repair technician. They are trained to locate mechanical issues before you notice them on the road.

Tire Pressure:
This can change drastically as temperatures fluctuate. Tire pressure should be monitored at least every two weeks, if not more.

Drive Smart:
Avoid road hazards, curbs (put down that cell phone!), speedbumps and other obstacles that may wreak havoc on your wheels and tires (i.e.: potholes). The more aware you are when driving the better off your ride, and wheels will be.

Hand-torque Only:
Damage form over tightened or too-loose lug nuts or bolts can be avoided by non-machine tightening only. Get personal with your wheels, use a hands-on approach.

Check us out on Instagram to see what we’ve been up to! We hope to see you for repair or color-coating in 2019!

From all of us at Phoenix Rim Repair and Color Coating, Happy New Year!

Audi Driver Phoenix Vibrating steering wheel repair

Photo Credit: Andraz Lazic

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How to Tell If You Have Quality Wheels

11/29/2018

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How to Tell If You Have Quality Wheels

Credit: Jesse Collins

With wheel manufacturers all over the world and different styles and brands of vehicles we see daily, we’d like to discuss: what are the ingredients of a quality wheel?

Since we are in the business of wheel repair and refinishing, we frequently notice the finish of wheels immediately. We notice if the wheel has been properly maintained. We can see the condition and type of protective finish on each wheel. Even if wheels are older, they can still look as good, or better, than newer wheels if they have a quality protective finish and are cared for well.

To learn how to care for your rims, click here to read our wheel cleaning tips.

Who Made Your Wheels?
Wheel manufacturers also plays a role in wheel quality - how well a wheel will perform and endure wear and tear - and how the wheel stands the test of time, and well, all those close-curb-encounters too! The Manufacturer’s longevity and reputation for quality is something to consider when purchasing wheels, whether they come with your vehicle or are purchased separately. Simply because a wheel manufacturer has a history in racing wheels, doesn’t mean those wheels are the best for everyday road use. Sometimes racing wheels are a very different wheel or too much of a wheel than you might need. Do your research and don’t assume.

Where and How Were Your Wheels Produced?
In addition to the manufacturer, consider the origin of production – there are quality standards that must be adhered to in places like Japan, Germany and wheel plants elsewhere. There can be different criteria for wheels sold with vehicles versus those wheels that are produced and sold aftermarket, or separately. These different standards can involve things like durability, metal, structural integrity, dimensions and finish. Not all wheels are created equal.

Do They Fit In?
A quality wheel will have a good relationship with its essential parts such as the tire, brake, bolts, clearance, width, and its general orientation to the automobile that it is attached to. All of these factors play a role in fit and performance. There are research, development and design teams to help facilitate the production, equipment and installation process to be in peak order for all parts to work in sync. This creates a quality experience for the driver and thus is an integral part of a quality wheel.

Do you have quality wheels?

Do they still look like quality wheels?

If not, we can restore your wheels back to looking like new – we can refinish, repair or give your wheels that glossy candy coated color you’ve been dreaming about.

As December approaches, why not think about a gift for yourself or a loved one? That would be a lasting gift for them and everyone else to stare at!

Not sure? Fill out our fast quote form and we’ll reply quickly with a quote.

Click here to see what we’ve been up to on Instagram.

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WANT BETTER HANDLING? WHEEL WEIGHT MATTERS!

10/26/2018

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WANT BETTER HANDLING? WHEEL WEIGHT MATTERS!

The role that wheel weight plays in determining the vehicle's overall ride, performance and feel is why so many new vehicles have replaced the less expensive wheels that are rolled, stamped and welded steel with cast aluminum alloy wheels.

Since the development of magnesium alloy to reduce wheel weight on old mid-century race cars, lightweight wheels have been used to enhance vehicle performance in most forms of auto racing. Today, most magnesium alloy wheels are too fragile for daily street use and are very limited in their finish options allowing only painting or polishing (and to avoid oxidation, frequent polishing of magnesium wheels is required).

The Formula 1 races were this past weekend in Austin, Texas and undoubtedly, magnesium alloy wheels were used due to their superior strength and durability and to reduce the weight while retaining the ability to handle the shifting loads. Fortunately for the rest of us, the wheel manufacturers have also developed lightweight aluminum alloy wheels that provide the appropriate street durability and numerous finish options while keeping weight to a minimum.

Photo by Gem & Lauris RK on Unsplash

A lighter weight can enhance the vehicle's performance because it takes less energy when less weight needs to be controlled. Unsprung weight is the weight under the springs which moves up and down as the vehicle rides and leans in the corners. Reducing unsprung weight allows the springs and shock absorbers to be more effective. Additionally, a vehicle's rotational weight includes all moving parts in the vehicle's driveline from the engine's crankshaft to its wheels and tires. This affects the energy required to change speed as the vehicle travels and maneuvers. Decreasing the weight of any rotating components will enhance the vehicle's performance because less energy will be required to alter their speed.

Remember, a vehicle's total weight, including its wheel weight, affects its ability to accelerate, brake and corner. So choose your wheels wisely and choose your wheel repair and color experts even more wisely! At Phoenix Rim Repair, we know a thing or two about wheels, wheel care, wheel color and beyond.

Picky about your wheels and tires? So are we – go check out our Instagram to see what we’ve been up to lately.

Add us on Facebook to stay connected to the best in the Phoenix area!

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Why Deal with the Rest When You Can Come to the Best?

9/19/2018

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Why Deal with the Rest When You Can Come to the Best?

We have all seen auto enthusiasts with custom wheels, whether it is chrome, low offset or deep dish, exotic 3-piece, expensive magnesium or just upgraded factory alloys. There is no denying the fact that wheels can totally change the overall appearance of your car. The only problem is that new wheels can be an expensive upgrade! Along with upgrading the wheels, usually a new set of tires is involved because the new wheels almost certainly are designed to be larger or wider than stock rims. After it's all said and done upgraded wheels and tires can cost thousands.

Luckily Phoenix Rim Repair can provide the look and feel of new upgraded wheels at a fraction of the cost of a new set! Let’s face it; the modern cars of the 21st century are purposefully designed from top to bottom. The wheels and tires that it came with are *usually* the best choice when fuel economy, ride quality and cornering performance are taken into equal consideration. So how do you totally change the overall appearance of your car, cost effectively while retaining the factory alloy wheels?

You bring your vehicle to Phoenix Rim Repair! Fill out our fast quote form and get the ball rolling. We can repair and polish rims to a back to new appearance or change the color of your wheels better than anyone in the area. It’s a cliché, but... why deal with the rest when you can come to the best?

Check out our Instagram to see what we’ve been up to lately – get some wheel inspiration!

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Blog

Off-Roading Wheels: Size Isn’t The Only Thing That Matters

Off-Roading Wheels: Size Isn’t The Only Thing That Matters

Stop! In the Name of Love: Brakes

Stop! In the Name of Love: Brakes

All Bent Out of Shape

All Bent Out of Shape

The Sun is Shining, it is Time for Your Wheels to Shine Too! Refini-shine-ing!

The Sun is Shining, it is Time for Your Wheels to Shine Too -
Refini-shine-ing!

Phoenix: We’ll Help You Pimp Your Ride, Starting with the Wheels

Phoenix: We’ll Help You Pimp Your Ride, Starting with the Wheels

How to Survive a Road Trip this Winter

How to Survive a Road Trip this Winter

What’s Shaking? Is It Your Steering Wheel?

What’s Shaking? Is It Your Steering Wheel?

How to Tell If You Have Quality Wheels

How to Tell If You Have Quality Wheels

WANT BETTER HANDLING? WHEEL WEIGHT MATTERS!

WANT BETTER HANDLING? WHEEL WEIGHT MATTERS!

Why Deal with the Rest When You Can Come to the Best?

Why Deal with the Rest When You Can Come to the Best?

See What We're Up To...

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Blog

​ Off-Roading Wheels: Size Isn’t The Only Thing That Matters

​ Stop! In the Name of Love: Brakes

​All Bent Out of Shape

​ Phoenix: We’ll Help You Pimp Your Ride, Starting with the Wheels

​ How to Survive a Road Trip this Winter

What’s Shaking? Is It Your Steering Wheel?

​How to Tell If You Have Quality Wheels

​WANT BETTER HANDLING? WHEEL WEIGHT MATTERS!

​Why Deal with the Rest When You Can Come to the Best?

See What We're Up To...

Archives

Categories

HOURs

LOCATION

PHONE

FIND US ONLINE

Off-Roading Wheels: Size Isn’t The Only Thing That Matters

Stop! In the Name of Love: Brakes

All Bent Out of Shape

Phoenix: We’ll Help You Pimp Your Ride, Starting with the Wheels

How to Survive a Road Trip this Winter

How to Tell If You Have Quality Wheels

WANT BETTER HANDLING? WHEEL WEIGHT MATTERS!

Why Deal with the Rest When You Can Come to the Best?