How to check for bent rims and where to buy new ones

[outlaws]

I have been driving a used car for the last 6 months and I could feel some wobbling in the steering wheel. I figured it was alignment and balance. I got those done. My mechanic said it was just balance if it's shaking in the steering wheel and when I had the alignment done they told me something was wrong but they didn't know what it was. So recently my tires popped on the freeway and I had to get new tires. I went ahead and bought a set of 4 tires from Costco and had them installed. Costco ended up telling me that my rear rims are bent. Now I am wondering where I can go to confirm this to double check if it's the bent rims. My steering wheel feels better but I can feel it shaking at high speeds after the tire replacements. If it's bent, where would I go to get rims? I believe it's 14". This is my beater car so I would want the cheapest new rims possible that drives straight.

[PhatRoyale]

Unmount them and inspect each and everyone one closely. Wheel damage is easy to spot.

Do you have the OEM alloy wheels? What year is your car?

If you want cheap wheels, you can try looking for Corolla steelies at your local junkyard.

[outlaws]

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

Unmount them and inspect each and everyone one closely. Wheel damage is easy to spot.

Do you have the OEM alloy wheels? What year is your car?

If you want cheap wheels, you can try looking for Corolla steelies at your local junkyard.

I think it's a 2001. The wheels it got on right now definitely isn't alloy. I prob just want to keep all the rims lookin the same. Prices on these rims seem to be 60$ new so cost shouldn't be an issue. I'm just wondering how to inspect for bent rim and where to get a new one that isn't a ripoff (OEM dealer).

How do I inspect it? Do I just roll it and see if it's straight?

[PhatRoyale]

Remove all the lug nuts on the rear wheels and take them off your car and inspect each one closely.

Wheel damage is easy to spot, if you have hubcaps, remove those too.

Check the inner and outer lips of each wheel.

[fishexpo101]

Just jack up a corner of the car and spin the wheel, paying attention to the mounting bead area of the lip on the wheel as you spin it (inside and outside of the wheel). Like Royale mentioned, it will be quite noticeable - since you could feel it when driving. Some bent wheels are easily spotted just by looking at the wheel.

[outlaws]

You guys keep saying wheel. Are you talking about leaving the tires on the rims? I'm trying to check the rims and not the new tires I got.
LOL sorry I'm a total noob. I'm just trying to understand this and DIY instead of relying on my shitty mechanic.

[outlaws]

Most importantly where do I go to buy some new rims?

[01loadedLE]

You dont need to worry about taking the tires off the wheels. If theyre damaged believe me you'll be able to see it. Just spin them like fish explained and you'll see.

You may want to check with another mechanic and get them to see if there really is something wrong with your suspension somewhere.