What Causes Wheel Hub Corrosion?
2 Answers
The following are the reasons for wheel hub corrosion: 1. Environmental issues: Many car models now use aluminum alloy to make wheel hubs. The advantage of aluminum alloy is that it is strong and durable, but the disadvantage is that it is afraid of acid. Aluminum is easily oxidized when exposed to acid, and once placed in a strong acid environment, aluminum alloy wheel hubs are indeed prone to corrosion. 2. Quality issues of the wheel hub: Many automobile manufacturers have reduced the harm of acidic substances to aluminum alloy wheel hubs through process improvements. Currently, the vast majority of car wheel hubs are basically no longer afraid of acid. However, there are still a few car models whose wheel hubs are prone to corrosion.
I previously encountered wheel rim rust issues while driving, mainly due to living in a humid and salty environment, such as coastal cities or after roads are salted in winter. Rainwater allows salt to penetrate the wheel rim surface, gradually causing oxidation and corrosion. Long-term exposure to air pollutants and industrial dust can also accelerate damage, especially if the wheel rims have scratches or impacts—once the protective layer is damaged, corrosion occurs more easily. Daily car washing with strong acidic or alkaline cleaners or failing to promptly clean brake dust, which contains iron particles that adhere and induce rust, can also contribute. Now I've learned my lesson: I thoroughly clean the wheel rims every two weeks and apply a professional sealant coating, effectively preventing recurrence. The maintenance cost isn't high, but neglecting it leads to soaring repair expenses. Corroded wheel rims not only look bad but also increase vibrations while driving, posing safety risks that shouldn't be underestimated.
