Wheel Arch Cleaning and Hub Corrosion

[Big Vinny]

The Ibiza is 5 years old now and driven mainly in sunny (wet) Hampshire. So time to clean all the debris from behind the front wheel arches. There is a fear of rust starting here !

The first image shows the debris found behind the wheel arch. It's mainly decomposed leaves:

The second image shows the cleaned wheel arch. Hosepipe and brush used here:

The third image shows the Hammerite/Waxoiled arch. Should be good for another 5 years:

The fourth image is unrelated and shows corrosion on the wheel hub. The wheel was corroded in place and had to be removed by removing the bolts and hammering a flat screwdriver between the wheel and the hub. Some people loosen the bolts and bounce the wheel on the ground. I generously greased the hub before wheel replacement. I don't think I could have put the spare on if I had a roadside puncture. All 4 hubs are the same. There is white corrosion on the alloy wheel, I suspect galvanic corrosion.

 

[RUM4MO]

Yes, the smart plan when getting any car new too you and either new or used, is to get the wheels off and apply some aluminium loaded grease around the centre hub bore.

Maybe also consider dropping the long side under covers and waxoyling under there after cleaning out accumulated "stuff".

 

[Big Vinny]

Yes - all four wheel arch liners removed cleaned and Waxoiled all around. There is an accumulation of crud on the door side of the real wheel arches as well but not as bad as the front. All the T25 torx bolts greased they rust too.

There is the dreaded foam at the top of the front wheel arches which needs cleaning and heavily oiling. Who hasn't seen a Mk5 Golf and others with rusty wing tops caused by the water retentive sponge foam ?