Behind the wheels hub cleaning - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KenSilver · #1 08-07-2003, 08:43 PM

Hi all,

As I look through the gaps of the wheels on my 1993 SL500, the hub area (in front of the disks) appears to be covered in a rusty color.

How do I clean it, and make sure that the rust doesn't return?

WD40 or anything sprayed seems like a very short term solution, and because I have to remove the wheels to do this I'm after something more permanent.

Any ideas please?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, in the shop for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country! (But unused since SL500 arrived)
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

#2 08-07-2003, 09:37 PM

read this:

W124 Wheel Updgrade Photos

and then PM the guy to thank him for the detailed posting.
he deserves kudos for the post and his through detailing!

KenSilver · #3 08-07-2003, 11:24 PM

Thrillbilly,

Good stuff! Lots of detail. Though I'm still a bit perplexed why I have to paint this area as some others have done in that post - surely MB don't put rustable parts on their hubs?

So what's underneath, and why can't it be cleaned and look nice, permanently? The mystery continues!

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, in the shop for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country! (But unused since SL500 arrived)
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

#4 08-07-2003, 11:34 PM

ken, dont thank me. thank the guy with the dirty hands! :p

NZ eh? its probably the furthest place in the the world away from SE-USA, but ive always wanted to visit. you know, an extended trip that would spend 4-5 days in AUS, then 4-5 days in NZ, then back for several days in AUS before departing.

well... good day (if appropiate to NZ) - ben

KenSilver · #5 08-08-2003, 02:12 AM

Ben,

Yes, come on over round November through to March for the good weather. You'll love the place - most people do, except maybe New Zealanders... that's why we travel so much. I was in Los Angeles last month, and my son joined me in UK just after that.

Now, back to business.

I picked up my SL from the shop this afternoon where it had minor fix-ups, and asked the techies about these hubs. Turns out they get incredibly hot (the hubs, not...), and so paint of any kind will drop off after a while.

They suggested I use light emery paper on the hub to get rid of the current rust, and that's about all I can do. It's worse on the back.

I'm still thinking, and asking.

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, in the shop Monday for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country! (But unused since SL500 arrived)
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

placo1 · #6 08-08-2003, 02:34 AM

Ken,

The stock OEM rotors will rust unless they're coated with paint, but there is an alternative. When it's time to install new rotors have the new rotors Silver Cad Plated. The Cad plating will look identical to stock OEM new rotors however the surface will not rust over time.

I plan on doing this some time this fall or winter and will post my results for future reference.

The only other solution is painting as you've already seen from the other post.

Good luck with your restoration and please post some pictures.