SLK200 Rusty Wheels Studs
- Thread starter richardld
- Start date
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Yes, if they have not suffered any damage (kerbing etc), they should be covered by the 3-year warranty. BUT, it depends on how sypathetic your dealer is. Definately worth a visit.
DO NOT fit aftermarket wheel studs as you may risk inferior quality steel. The profile of the conical section is also very important and must match that on the wheels to prevent them loosening and to avoid point-stesses on the wheel alloy. Many aftermarket studs do not have the right profiles and can even be too long or too short.
If you think about it, they are one of the most critical items on a car.
The original ones are not expensive, should it come to that.
DO NOT fit aftermarket wheel studs as you may risk inferior quality steel. The profile of the conical section is also very important and must match that on the wheels to prevent them loosening and to avoid point-stesses on the wheel alloy. Many aftermarket studs do not have the right profiles and can even be too long or too short.
If you think about it, they are one of the most critical items on a car.
The original ones are not expensive, should it come to that.
DavidBlake
Senior Member
Hello Richard,
The reason it is now common to see rusty wheel nuts on even nearly new cars is the advent of cleaners such as "wonder wheels" which are designed for laquered surfaces. They strip the surface chemicaly clean and expose it to the elements.
The solution is to replace them, or remove and spray the existing ones with smoothrite or similar. Then when using the wheel cleaner rinse with a solution of zipwax, or similar, not plain water, thus leaving a residue that protects the nuts till next time.
The reason it is now common to see rusty wheel nuts on even nearly new cars is the advent of cleaners such as "wonder wheels" which are designed for laquered surfaces. They strip the surface chemicaly clean and expose it to the elements.
The solution is to replace them, or remove and spray the existing ones with smoothrite or similar. Then when using the wheel cleaner rinse with a solution of zipwax, or similar, not plain water, thus leaving a residue that protects the nuts till next time.
Yes, "wonderwheels" and similar cleaners can lead to corrosion, it is after all a Hydrochloric acid solution. Soapy water, or better still, a car body shampoo mix is the best for cleaning wheels. But, if you really want to use acid, then get a family bottle of Coke (phosporic acid) - it's cheaper. the diet version is the best for cleaning as it does not have sticky sugar.
martyn bidgood
New Member
Rusty Wheel Studs and tarnished alloy wheels
When I picked up my 2 year old SLK, the wheels had started to tarnish with white patches around the studs, so the Merc dealer offered to refurbish the wheels for free. Six months later, they were starting to get white patches on them again - So they have just replaced the wheels and studs - For FREE.
Some dealership...
When I picked up my 2 year old SLK, the wheels had started to tarnish with white patches around the studs, so the Merc dealer offered to refurbish the wheels for free. Six months later, they were starting to get white patches on them again - So they have just replaced the wheels and studs - For FREE.
Some dealership...
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