I am a new member here and I was hoping someone may be able to help.
I recently had an encounter with a curb in a snowstorm here in New Jersey. I blew out the right front tire and slightly bent the rim. Following are several pictures of the damage:







I need help with the following:
  1. Can the rim be bent back into shape? A new rim is $499 through the dealer!!!!!
  2. Does anyone have a rim they can sell me?
  3. THe sidewall has a slash in it, thereby necessitating its replacement. I was going to buy a replacement tire (Yokohama AVS S/T 265/60/18) from Tire Rack. Is this the best option?
  4. Lastly, I drove approximately 80 miles at 45-50mph with the donut spare on the right front wheel. At about that point the TOD started to make some weird noises. They were sort of like groaning noises. I thought the smaller donut may have been the cause. I finished the drive home, another 20 miles, doing 20 mph with my flashers on to avoid the noises. What did I hear? Did I ruin the TOD, transmission or differential due to the smaller donut spare?


Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please reply!!

[This message has been edited by kpv (edited 12-15-2003).]

[This message has been edited by kpv (edited 12-15-2003).]