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[X2 Monstah]

Has anyone else had an issue with the wheel hubs rusting badly? Mine are so badly corroded that they basically fused themselves to the rims and it's tough to get the rear wheels off. Would this be something potentially covered under the warranty?

[chris82]

Originally Posted by BSM F30

Has anyone else had an issue with the wheel hubs rusting badly? Mine are so badly corroded that they basically fused themselves to the rims and it's tough to get the rear wheels off. Would this be something potentially covered under the warranty?

Yup I've had this happen multiple times. Basically had to kick the sh*t out of my wheels to get them off the hub it was so bad. However, I got my front brakes changed, and they replaced the hubs, and they've been holding up ever since, no rust at all.

[shah269]

YUP!
Take 2X4 and hammer...banged it off...happens to all cars in one way or another.
To prevent it i use some very light grease on the surface when i put the wheel back on.

[gap]

Painted the rear steel hub with Eastwood brake gray spray paint then coated the wheel mounting surface with antiseize and it helps.

[ossi1]

No issues on my 2012 135i

Previously on my Lexus I spray painted the hubs with 'hammerite' no idea what its called in the US but its good for 3 or 4 years.

[dtla1]

Hmm, weird. Never had that problem over here in Southern California.
Sorry everyone.

[MightyMouseTech]

I live in the saltiest region in the world. A dose of spray lithium grease will break down any rust that is there, and slow it down from forming again.

[mr.fabulous]

This is why God made the 20# sledge. Antiseize.

[DSSG]

The hubs rust due to being unpainted iron. When you put your wheels back on, smear some anti-seize on your wheels and hubs.

If you are anal, just wires brush the hubs and give them some Rustoleum!

[Pyrat 2]

Originally Posted by DSSG

When you put your wheels back on, smear some anti-seize on your wheels and hubs.

^^^

[Overpar56]

Light coat of anti-seize will help you.

[Silenus]

I spray every customers hubs down with brake clean and brush them with a wire brush. I then apply anti-seeze (nickel special) to the hub. To take wheels off I keep one wheel bolt in at 12 o'clock a few threads deep. I hit the inner tire with a rubber mallet.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Silenus

I spray every customers hubs down with brake clean and brush them with a wire brush. I then apply anti-seeze (nickel special) to the hub. To take wheels off I keep one wheel bolt in at 12 o'clock a few threads deep. I hit the inner tire with a rubber mallet.

Are you a BMW tech? If so, I would wish/hope that all BMW techs would be as considerate. Or is that standard operating procedure at a BMW dealer? That would be even better. My dealer's been nothing but good to me, since 2008 when I bought my first 135i. But I've heard some stories.

[jdlivxx]

Mine are rusted as well. It's on the list when i properly detail her.

[DSSG]

The hub and wheels are dissimilar metal, and the two can bond together quite tightly.

On both my BMW and Mercedes, I had a hell of a time getting the wheels off for the first time. A little anti-seize and you'll never have the problem again.

[X2 Monstah]

Thanks for the replies. Happy New Year!

[Andrewcoja]

Why would they leave the hubs uncoated and able to rust?

[Silenus]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Are you a BMW tech? If so, I would wish/hope that all BMW techs would be as considerate. Or is that standard operating procedure at a BMW dealer? That would be even better. My dealer's been nothing but good to me, since 2008 when I bought my first 135i. But I've heard some stories.

I wouldn't say most techs do it, but I would say 80% of the techs I work with are consistent with practices like that. Most of us put a lot of effort in quality work and take pride in what we do, however there are always a few bad apples looking to spoil the bunch.

[Silenus]

Originally Posted by Andrewcoja

Why would they leave the hubs uncoated and able to rust?

They do not. They put grease on them from the factory. However it's a required maintenance step when the wheels come off to apply grease. Unfortunately this is not always done.

[Freon]

I change my wheels twice a year, so no issues.

[$iriu$black]

To answer the warranty question, yes and no.

I had this experience a few weeks ago when I changed to winter tires. My mechanic said the rotors on all 4 corners were so rusted and needs replacing. I was trying to hold off but the vibration is just so awful when I brake and I feel like I'm compromising safety. So I took it to one BMW dealer, only to be told that RUST WILL NOT BE COVERED by warranty (this is after a day they kept the car). I was so mad as I got the car as a CPO about a year ago and literally drove it everyday so no chance of it standing in the parking lot for days. I took another chance at another dealer and they replaced all four rotors, pads, hub bolt and all that needed replacing. They did it as a customer goodwill thing. Just talk to the SA so they know the situation and hopefully not write in the order anything with rust in it, so BMW will cover it.

I hope that helped!