Dodge Challenger Rims Corroded to Axles

Discussion in 'Dodge Challenger General Maintenance' started by 2009SE, Oct 7, 2011.

  1. 2009SE

    2009SE Active Member

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    Just did a tire rotation at 10K miles and the OEM 18" rims
    were corroded to the axles. I removed the lug nuts and observed
    some corrosion under them. The rims would not seperate from the
    rotors and substantial force was required. I could have drove her
    with no lug nuts, it was that bad. I dont drive her in the rain and
    cannot for the life of me figure out what type of Galvanic
    corrosion is going on here. The rims are white as chalk where
    they contacted the brake rotors and the lug nuts were a
    ball of corrosion where they contacted the rims. I have
    removed the surface rust/corrosion and went back with
    some grease on those surfaces. But the rims are also starting
    to corrode past the center cap and out to the front face
    under the clearcoat. The underside of the plastic center caps
    were all brown from the rust.
    Geeese, no grease Dodge? Those in the costal area will
    probably face this problem in the future.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2011
  2. Shaggy

    Shaggy Well-Known Member Staff Member Administrator

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    How old is your chally? Were you the first owner? Is that the first 10k on the car? Any snow driving? That's weird if the car has only 10k miles and that bad of corrosion.
     
  3. 2009SE

    2009SE Active Member

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    2009 SE
    First Owner
    Purchased 6/09
    4 filter/oil changes.
    First 10K, first flat, first tire rotation.
    Never driven in rain or snow.
    07 Mustang takes the brunt of the weather, now.
    The Mustang was babied until I got the chally.

    The only thing I can think of is it gets washed a lot
    with a high pressure washer. Maybe thats forcing
    the water in behind the wheels and then parking her.
    I will take her out for a long cruise after every washing
    to see if that will get the rotors heated up and the
    water slung out.

    I have enough corrosion preventitve (cosmolene) on
    there to stop what was happening.
    Now to keep an eye on that lug nut torque over time.
     

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    Last edited: Oct 8, 2011
  4. usmc1349

    usmc1349 New Member

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    Do you use any type of wheel cleaner to remove the brake dust? Take a look at the chemical make up in the product if so. I started noticing problems early on after using ICE products and swithced to Maguires All Wheel cleaner. Stuff works and have not noticed any further problems.
     
  5. 2009SE

    2009SE Active Member

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    Nope, no wheel cleaner used at all.
    There are just not enough miles between
    washes to have brake dust build-up. :)

    I think I am going to Plast-Dip soon so water
    getting behind the wheel cap will be a thing of the past.