Anyone Know How to Get Rid of Rust on Wheel Hubs?

[rzm3]

(photo from IND)

Thanks,
Richard

[sparkyg]

Mine was really bad too. I used an SOS pad and some really light steel wool.

For long term though I wanna protect it. I've considered using an anti-seez compound made for aluminum

Anyone have any experience?

[Ben335]

Fine grit sandpaper and just lightly sand it off. Then before you put the wheels back on put some anti-sieze grease, to keep this from happening again. Your wheels will slide on and off after you do this.

[rzm3]

Are there any chemicals that can be used?

[Ben335]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Are there any chemicals that can be used?

There are some pretty harsh stuff on there like CLR that you can buy at Home Depot, but I worry about that harshness of it and you would have to soak it and that would be difficult with a wheel hub. Honestly, get a dust mask and lightly sand it off. Takes just a couple of minutes per wheel. Makes a world of difference after you do it.

[badfish]

You can use a wire brush head for a drill. They sell several types, I have both of these below and they do a good job. The rust dust tends to float around though so wear a mask to be safe. I then taped off the area around and painted it with black caliper paint.

[J08M3]

Originally Posted by badfish

You can use a wire brush head for a drill. They sell several types, I have both of these below and they do a good job. The rust dust tends to float around though so wear a mask to be safe. I then taped off the area around and painted it with black caliper paint.

+1 exactly what I did before installing my spacers. No harm done with a drill and a wire brush head. You don't need to be so careful and do it by hand.

[rzm3]

Originally Posted by J08M3

+1 exactly what I did before installing my spacers. No harm done with a drill and a wire brush head. You don't need to be so careful and do it by hand.

where do you buy these? Home Depot?

[badfish]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

where do you buy these? Home Depot?

Harbor Freight was where I got mine. They came in kinda like a blister pack but I couldn't find that pack on the website although they do have them onesie twosie. You can find them at any hardware store...

[JCtx]

First of all, that pic is not from an E92 M3; we don't have studs on our hubs, plus the rusted area inside the hub is A LOT smaller; no way I could fit anything power operated all the way to the back (next to the big nut), where rust was worst.

After reading this thread I removed all 4 wheels to detail (and familiarize myself with) that area. The rust on the rear wheels was really bad. Even after sanding with 220 grit until my fingers almost bled didn't remove it all, especially at the deepest part, but was good enough. And that anti-seize paste also caused rust, which didn't come off completely either. Did the best I could and put high-temp synthetic grease (M1) all around. The front wheels were a lot better inside, but the part that touches the wheel was equally bad (but much easier to fix).

I strongly suggest everybody remove their wheels and clean that mess as best as possible to prevent a problem in the future. I was expecting S/S on a $70K car, but it's not the end of the world. As long as rust doesn't keep forming, all is well. Take care.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

First of all, that pic is not from an E92 M3; we don't have studs on our hubs, plus the rusted area inside the hub is A LOT smaller...

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272532

[King Tut]

When I installed my wheel studs and Volks, I sanded all the hubs with some sandpaper and then coated them in anti-seize to prevent them from getting rusted again. It helps in getting the wheels off easily.

[J08M3]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

where do you buy these? Home Depot?

You can buy them at any tool/hardware store. I had these at my house from years ago.

[rzm3]

wire brush worked quite well, though some parts of the rear hub is very hard to reach...

thanks guys for the suggestions

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Technic

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272532

Thanks for the clarification man; the large photo and brake modification confused me (yeah, I deserve this: ). By the way, that was a very classy and respectful way to disagree ; wish a few folks here learned your manners .

Anyway, just wanted to add that after FIVE days of washing my car, and hot temperatures in my garage, removed the wheel roundel covers to polish them, and guess what? Water was still puddled inside !!!! That's obviously the root cause of the rust. Cleaned the rusty water (even after coating the inside with grease after sanding the rust), cleaned the grease, did a beter job of recoating with grease (EVERYWHERE this time), and inserted a paper shop towel tightly rolled, then folded to form a circle about 1" deep, inserted the towel in the cavity and extended it so it was touching all around the inner part of the cavity (hope it makes sense), so in the future it can absorb any water. In addition, when washing the car, I'll avoid spraying water directly at the roundel to minimize water intrusion, as the roundel is not sealed. By the way, I used a spare suction cup from my V1 (and needlenose pliers) to remove the roundels; worked like a charm. Hope this helps gang.

[Trier Germany]

The way to prevent further rust is prep the area just as the others recommended with wire brush or wire brush drill attachment. Get a clean rag or cloth clean the affected area with isopropol alcohol let it dry and then tape off the area and get a spray can of zinc paint and paint the hubs. This will ensure the rust will never return.