My hubs are rusting too after 5k miles but only the rears, the fronts are like new? Need to get them painted at some point, its not a good look.
Rusting Wheelhubs on New Model A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI SE
- Thread starter sirkitbraker
- Start date
Audi told me it was normal, asked for the OEM job, told me where to go. Tin of halfords silver smooth, got my local garage to do it (didn't trust jack)
What a difference a wee tin of paint can make!!
Asked audi why some cars are treated and others aren't and they said its just the way it comes from the factory, so I said you're admitting mine hasn't been treated and it should have...."no sir, it's within spec"...
£30k car... £20 tin of paint, just don't get it....
What a difference a wee tin of paint can make!!
Asked audi why some cars are treated and others aren't and they said its just the way it comes from the factory, so I said you're admitting mine hasn't been treated and it should have...."no sir, it's within spec"...
£30k car... £20 tin of paint, just don't get it....
I'm planning to do this myself - only issue is I don't have a flat drive or a jack yet!
Seems like a fairly easy job - I'm guess the hubs will need a good clean and to be keyed so no issues with apply new coat of paint?
Yep, looks very straight forward if you have the right jack, just remove the loose rust and paint.
Makes such a difference, would recommend anyone with rusty hubs to get it done through a local cheaper garage if they are too nervous to do it themselves.
Interestingly, I phoned many garages asking for quotes and they all said it's not normally something they do. My local did it for 90 mins labour (they actually removed the calliper, but I believe there is no need to do this) , I supplied the paint and brushes, got it back the same day.
Only one coat and many on here recommend two, but I can always touch it up myself if needed.
Makes such a difference, would recommend anyone with rusty hubs to get it done through a local cheaper garage if they are too nervous to do it themselves.
Interestingly, I phoned many garages asking for quotes and they all said it's not normally something they do. My local did it for 90 mins labour (they actually removed the calliper, but I believe there is no need to do this) , I supplied the paint and brushes, got it back the same day.
Only one coat and many on here recommend two, but I can always touch it up myself if needed.
squiretolley
Registered User
I've had the Hammerite etc for weeks, but my bad back's stopped me from doing it. I'm going to try and get the dealer to do it, but failing that I'll do it myself.
My wheel hubs have been rusting for months and now also my brake disc backing plates are rusting, spoiling the finish of my car.
Had a A4 loan car the other week and it's disc backing plates looked a lot more substantial and better painted
Had a A4 loan car the other week and it's disc backing plates looked a lot more substantial and better painted
That's a beaut.
Regarding the rusting, is there procedure in order to remove the rust and repaint or is it better to ask the local garage? I'm expecting my A3 in June but could ask the dealer to pre-paint the brakes before collection.
Clean rusted area and repaint with suitable Hammerite type paint should sort it out, I don't have a torque wrench at the mo to retighten the wheel nuts. Worth asking your dealer if they can treat the area
squiretolley
Registered User
Sorry to bump this....
What would be people's recommend paint for the hubs to prevent rust?
I'm planning to get mine painted a few weeks in to ownership by a local Audi/VW specialist garage but not sure what I should get.
What would be people's recommend paint for the hubs to prevent rust?
I'm planning to get mine painted a few weeks in to ownership by a local Audi/VW specialist garage but not sure what I should get.
I'm always stunned that people are surprised, car hubs have done this for years. Its just that many modern alloys give a good view of the hubs. Paint it when you get it, Hammerite Smoothrite does the job easy too.
Be wary of some alloy wheel cleaners they will quickly attack any plating on fasteners and callipers.
Be wary of some alloy wheel cleaners they will quickly attack any plating on fasteners and callipers.
Only ever used Billberry alloy wheel cleaner on mine. 14 months and 13,000 miles later - not a speck of rust. 
Yeah agree. All my cars have done it. My A1 had its calipers and hubs painted under warranty because it got so bad.
S3 has painted calipers so that's fine just need to sort the hubs. I'll have a look at the Hammerite thanks.
Yep, Hammerite smooth silver small tin did the trick on hubs/callipers. Makes such a difference as mine had started to rust.
BUT DO IT WHEN YOU GET THE CAR, THE COATING IS A GREAT UNDERCOAT. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT GOES RUSTY!
squiretolley
Registered User
Well had my rusty wheel hubs painted by Audi a couple of weeks ago FOC and they looked great.
Fast forward to this evening and the first wash since and the ****** paint has jet washed off! Incompetent idiots!
If you want a job doing properly do it yourself!
Fast forward to this evening and the first wash since and the ****** paint has jet washed off! Incompetent idiots!
If you want a job doing properly do it yourself!
Must have done something very wrong. I've jet washed mine about 6 times since and they are as once painted.
squiretolley
Registered User
I reckon they've just done a quick job with spray paint. I've not complained yet, but will be doing soon.
