GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Rog on 16 February 2006, 20:54
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I was reading 'Car magazine' the other day and someone wrote in to them saying that they noticed that their Gti hubs were rusty. They took the car back to their VW dealer whom said that nothing could be done about it. I got my Gti last May and I have to say that a couple of months ago I too noticed that my hubs are turning rusty. I presume that all wheel hubs rust and that it's just the Monza alloys with their large ' open telephone dial's' that make it so noticeable.
Anyone else noticed it on their Gti? :undecided:
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I've noticed this on all our GTIs. Nothing you can do unfortunately. :sad: I think all hubs do it but as you say, with the 18s, you can see it more. Not sure if you can paint them???
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Thats disgraceful... within a year!? :angry: I have just ordered my GTI with 18" Alloys and I should expect them to rust within the year while my Mk2 16v from 1991 doesn't have a spot of rust on its BBS factory fitted alloys?! Surely VW should have realised this - does this come under warranty? I will be part-ex'ing mine when the Anniversary model comes out next year but that will also have the same issue. Is there any preparation of the wheel that can inhibit the rust before I start driving it?
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Hang on... did you say hubs as oppsoed to alloys? Phew... I thought you were talking about the alloys. Can you treat the hub with WD40 or something?
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had mine since sept, no rust yet :wink:
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All four of my wheel hubs have rusty marks. This was apparent from a couple of months after taking delivery. The dealer said they were going to contact VW about it and would let me know, but I heard nothing. I think it's due to an interaction between the steel hub and the alloy wheel, but I'm not a metallurgist...
I'm planning to take it up with the dealer when the car goes in for its first service, as this is definitely a warranty issue
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Accoding to our service dept here. They would not replace these under warranty as there is nothing inherently wrong with them. I've had a wander around my used cars and most suffer from it. It's just more noticeable with the 18" wheels.
Not great news but at least you can be prepared for it?. Different dealers occasionally take a different view on warranty claims so let us know if your stealer will replace them.
VWmd
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How bad is the rust. I was gonna get 18" wheels but is it now just worth keeping woth the 17's
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Not any worse than with the 17"s but you can see it more. If I were you i'd have a look at a GTI with the 18s and have a look (guaranteed it will have the rust). A reason the service dept gave me was that under braking, you get hot dust from the pads which falls down onto the hub and weakens the coating on the hub. Moisture and rain etc then attack the raaw metal. Sounds feasible?!?!
Rust is quite noticable but its all a matter of opinion. Maybe someone can take a picture of theirs?
VWmd
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I took delivery last April and noticed the rust immediately on all four wheels (18 in), following about 4 visits back to the dealer to have several other problems fixed, I finally snapped and asked for the hubs to be looked at (one is very bad now with a large band of rust visible all around) the dealer told me that hubs are not covered under warranty - doesn't half make the wheels look naff !!!
I have been looking at the Audi A4 which has almost identical hubs and haven't seen rust on any car yet (it's becoming an obsession !!!) - why VW !
On another subject - anybody noticed a slight depression visible on the top of the bonnet - at the point the bonnet latch is attached to the underside of the bonnet. In certain light conditions (mine is Graphite Blue) I can see a slight depression on the top of the bonnet at the point the bonnet latch plate is fixed underneath - drives me mad (not as much as the rust though).
Still a great car, but slightly depressed with the rust and depression !!!!
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I saw lots of surface rust on a demo car at the local dealer, and that was ONE week after the dealer got the car. Paint the hubs if it bothers you.
:smiley:
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Is there a way of avoiding the hubs from rusting?
I collect my GTI soon & intend on cleaning my alloys every week with soapy water to get rid of brake dust & salt from the road. Would this avoid the hubs from rusting.
I have opted for the 18" Monza II - Can you use Wonder Wheels? I am not sure as the wheel has a chrome finish.
Thanks, EdMass.
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Only way to prevent the rustin gis to remove the wheels and paint the hubs.
I wouldn't use Wonder Wheels unless you have soem really stubborn muck on there. If you have some split laquer, it can get underneath it and cause it to peel more.
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Thanks for your advise Organisys.
I called my dealership this afternoon & they know nothing about rusty hubs! It makes you wonder if they play dumb & hope the problem disappears or they think customers are mushrooms - Kept in the dark & fed bullsh!t!!
I cannot believe I am the only customer to mention this to my dealer.
It's a shame VW don't take the same approach BMW offer its customers - My wife has a 12mth old Mini Cooper S Convertible & the roof has marks due to the mechanism problems. BMW have agreed to replace the entire roof under warranty without any fuss. Although you pay a lot for the car, the service is superb & would make you want too buy another BMW.
I think it's called customer service & it provides customer satisfaction.
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Customer service does vary from one dealrer to another, even under the same brand. My local VW dealer is shockingly bad, and despite their reputation some of my collegues have had problems with the local BMW dealer too.
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I just visited my dealer to hear what they had to say about this. I have had my GTI for 2 months, and already alot of rust is showing. The dealer said that this was to be expected, and was normal. Actually insinuated that I was being a bit anal about this. Well well.....
I guess painting them with some heat resistant coating will do the job.
(http://www.blixtfoto.com/files/rust.jpg)
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Use some brake caliper two pack paint from Halfords or simmilar.
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Mine are rusty too :sad:
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Hi all, I have a 4 month old GTI and all 4 hubs have lost almost half of their paint and look rusty :embarassed:. Just wondering if anyone has painted theirs and if so what did you use and are you pleased with the results?
Cheers :smiley:
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I prefer rusty sheriffs badges :wink:
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If you have just collected your GTI, then you could try waxing them, with descent wax, only problem is you would have to keep up, on it.
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Firstly Hello all! this is my first post here :smiley:
I am going to try painting my hubs on Saturday cos i think they ruin my beautiful car.
Before i do it i'd like to know if anyone else has tried it yet, what paint? and howd it look?
Cheers :cool:
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Also, what type of paint? High temp caliper stuff?
And whats the best stuff to remove the rust already on the hubs?
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Hi Stedyedy, did you paint your hubs?
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Hi Stedyedy, did you paint your hubs?
No not yet i am a bit nervous to do it, my brother inlaw is a paint sprayer so i'm going to ask his advice, even though i am a bit embarassed to tell him my car has rust already.
I was thinking of doing them red as that is the colour of the car, what do you think?
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If the cars red then I am sure that it will look fine, I was gonna spray them either silver or Black. My car is Graphite Blue though!
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One of my customers is about to paint theirs with some form of heat proof paint. I'll try and find out more info....
VWmd
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I painted mine with Aluminium silver paint (high temp) and they look good.
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I painted mine with Aluminium silver paint (high temp) and they look good.
sounds good, any chance of a photo DeejayGti?
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Sorry to dig up an old thread, but are the rusty hubs still an issue on new cars? Can any 56 platers comment?
Also, did anyone ever get round to painting their hubs? Results/pics??
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I have a 56plate GTI, had since September, as of yet no sign of rust
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i also have a 56 plate GTi, as of Sept, loads of rust on the hubs!
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My 56 car has stood outside for 2 weeks over Christmas without any use. :sad:
Discs have well rusted although the hubs are still OK. I've driven about 70 miles since and the disc faces still have pitted rust spots on them, as well as around the outer disc circumference. Time for a few high speed braking stops to wear off the rust on the disc faces I think :wink:s
Cass
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I went to my local dealer in disgust with the rusty wheel hub problem "gilders in sheffield", luckily the warranty manager agreed that it was not acceptable on a 9 month old car , and thankfully the car is now booked in to have all rust removed, treated, & then repainted in smooth hammerite paint .
Good that they are now acknowledgeing it as a genuine warranty complaint.
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I went to my local dealer in disgust with the rusty wheel hub problem "gilders in sheffield", luckily the warranty manager agreed that it was not acceptable on a 9 month old car , and thankfully the car is now booked in to have all rust removed, treated, & then repainted in smooth hammerite paint .
Good that they are now acknowledgeing it as a genuine warranty complaint.
Have they done this yet? What does the finished job look like?
Rgds
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I have to say I'm a bit shocked at all this concearn.
Why are you worried, or think its abnormal for a steel hub, with a very thin plating on to rust up when exposed to the elements?
Every car I can think of has rust around the hubs, if it is a big worry, as previously said, sand off and hammerite.
Guess you could machine some Stainless Hubs :grin:
Dave
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I have to say I'm a bit shocked at all this concearn.
Why are you worried, or think its abnormal for a steel hub, with a very thin plating on to rust up when exposed to the elements?
Every car I can think of has rust around the hubs, if it is a big worry, as previously said, sand off and hammerite.
Agreed, but the "issue" with the GTI is that the large holes in the wheels give a very clear view of the hubs. I bet Ed30 owners wont notice. :wink:
There are two different solutions to the problem, one is prevention, which hasn't really been discussed, the oter is the cure which has been discussed. The rust is caused by galvanic, or dissimlar metal corrosion. Place a barrier (noooo - not a condom :laugh:) between the wheel and the hub, and the problem should disappear!
HTH, rgds