How to clean wheel mating surface to rotor?

Post by **FireFox31** » 07 Jan 2022, 00:38

What do you use to clean the wheel surface which mates to the rotor? Rust and debris on this surface might prevent the wheel from mounting flush, introducing vibration. This is aluminum so anything too aggressive might damage it, again making the surface less than smooth and introducing vibration.

In the following picture, both wheel mating surfaces had looked like the front one. I cleaned the rear one with an air powered wire wheel (face mounted bristles, not edge mounted). That scratched the heck out of the surface but got it clean. I would like to be more gentle and even on my other wheels.

Post by **Clemens** » 07 Jan 2022, 01:00

Try sanding it by hand with 180 - 240 grit.

Post by **abscate** » 07 Jan 2022, 01:39

Flap disc on a grinder with a light touch , like just the weight of the grinder.

The face of the rotor is where the corrosion really builds up. Flap disc with wrist pressure there, followed by lube

Post by **jreed** » 07 Jan 2022, 05:44

I usually use a brass bristle brush with a short handle to scrub off corrosion from the brake rotor and the inside of the wheel. I like it because it can live in my tool bag.

Post by **FireFox31** » 07 Jan 2022, 13:59

Thanks. Has anyone tried a flat rotary tool (to ensure the surface remains flat) like a Scotch Brite pad? The flap disc I have is marginally conical so I might gouge the surface. I have 12 wheels to clean (including rusty Geronimo) so doing it by hand will be too difficult.

What kind of lubricant / protective coating could I put on the wheel mating surface? I've read the rotor is what sheds the metal, so is it enough to trust the Zimmermann rotor coating to keep the wheels safe?

Post by **kallekula** » 07 Jan 2022, 14:25

I just clean using a wire brush. We don’t get much rust around these parts though.

Post by **BlackBart** » 07 Jan 2022, 14:46

Any "sanding" or "grinding" is taking material off the wheel hub face. You're messing with the plane of the wheel. I'd say brass, which is softer than the aluminum wheel.

Post by **kallekula** » 07 Jan 2022, 14:51

Post by **FireFox31** » 07 Jan 2022, 17:23

Thanks for the tips. I've got to remove the embedded flakes of rusty old rotors. Maybe a flat razor to pick off the big chunks.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 07 Jan 2022, 23:03

BlackBart wrote: ↑07 Jan 2022, 14:46 Any "sanding" or "grinding" is taking material off the wheel hub face. You're messing with the plane of the wheel. I'd say brass, which is softer than the aluminum wheel.

+1

Use to see flat disk on air grinders at tire shops then wire bristles. The wire bristles are just enough to remove surface materials as not to mess with the plane which is all too easy to do with pads, disks, sandpapers etc. Attempts to fully remove pitted surfaces will make the mating surface of wheel to disk uneven and it's totally unnecessary. Once surface material is gone buff in / little film of silicone grease into the pits will help with corrosion which is inevitable.

https://www.amazon.com/Forney-72729-Cri ... 87&sr=8-14

https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-92016 ... r=8-8&th=1

*