Rusty wheel hubs - Hopefully sorted!!

[Pintman]

Well, after reading many websites regarding rusty wheel hubs and after 18 months ownership of the GTi, I thought something had to be done about the state of the surfaces.  It didn't look right when after spending hours cleaning her, the thing that stuck out like a sore thumb was rusty wheel hubs.

After a visit to the local store and getting some Hammerite smooth, together with some 600 grit paper and a wire brush, I started. 
After eventually getting the wheel off with a few trusty hits with a rubber hammer after the wheel had 'welded' onto the hubs, this is what was found;



And looking at the inside of the wheel and the nuts;




So first of all it was down to rubbing down the hubs to get smooth the surface and get rid of some of the rust;



Onto the hammerite.  Trying to keep the brush marks down to a minimum;



Then a small amount of copper paste;



So hubs sorted out, it was time to have a go with the nuts.  After a brush and copper paste applied;



So after cleaning the wheels while waiting for the paint to dry, once put back on, I think it looks much better. 



It took most of the day cleaning all four hubs and wheels, but I'm gald I did it as it looks much better.

Your comments would be appreciated.   

[SteveS]

much better!

[john_o]

superb job 
personally I have always used black , and I reckon it would show off your Monzas better

[Paul H]

Very new to the site and it's great, picked up my new GTi today and first job was a light smear of grease on the hubs to stop them going rusty hopefully - careful not to go too mad with it or get it on th disc

Looks a good job you've done and really smartens up the hubs.

Just a word of caution on putting coppaslip on the bolts - there's lots of mixed opinions, but my view would be, unless the manufacturer recommended it don't do it - when you torque up the bolts to the required setting the stretch may be greater than the tolerence of the bolts with the coppaslip.

Definately a bit smeared between the mating faces of the wheel and the hub though

A google search will give you a few differing opinions as well as the very technical answer

[Hurdy]

Excellent job

I agree with Paul about the copperslip on the bolts though.

In 18 months time you can come round and do mine

[Cass]

Good job, guess I'll be doing the same

Cass

[Pintman]

Just a word of caution on putting coppaslip on the bolts - there's lots of mixed opinions, but my view would be, unless the manufacturer recommended it don't do it - when you torque up the bolts to the required setting the stretch may be greater than the tolerence of the bolts with the coppaslip.

I had looked through a few websites and was recommended by a friend to use copper grease.  I suppose thinking back, anywhere I saw corrosion I put a bit of grease to help 'repell' the onset.  Think I'll keep an eye on the nuts and make sure that they are set to the correct torque values.

Thanks

[TagnuT]

I painted mine a month or so ago. Not what you expect on a new car.  :embarassed:

But after a coat of paint they look much better.  Also a quick smear of "Copaslip®
Copaslip® (often misspelled as copperslip or coppaslip) - the original anti-seize compound. It is a very high temperature (up to 1100°C) anti-seize assembly compound, bentone based non-melt grease with copper, polybutene, and anti-corrosion additives."

I was in two minds to put some on the bolts, but didn't. Glad I didn't now.

[BradHarris]

Did mine as well last week. Car is 8 months old and they were not as bad as those. If you do them before they get bad, its an easy and quick job. Does look better but not sure how long they will last. Anyone had the Hammerite on for any period of time ?

[RedRobin]

....Great original post - Very useful.

I'm afraid I solved my rusty wheel hub problem the expensive way! But I got the bonus of awesome non-fading braking power!