How to Clean the Wheel Hub

When changing the brakes on your car, it is important to clean the wheel hub. Rust and corrosion builds up on the hub and causes swollen spots on the metal. This build-up can cause vibrations and pulsing when braking, as well as interfere with your car's alignment. It is not necessary to remove every speck of rust from the wheel hub, but you do need to remove any large spots of corrosion that will affect the braking system.

Things You'll Need

• Air compressor hose
• Screwdriver
• Shop towel

Instructions

1. Expose the wheel hub by removing the rotor.

2. Blast the wheel hub with an air compressor hose to get the loose debris and dust off.

3. Scrape off any large spots of rust or debris with a screwdriver.

4. Run the screwdriver around the entire surface of the wheel hub. Make sure to clean around all of the screw holes.

5. Wipe the wheel hub off with a clean shop towel to remove any leftover debris.

6. Repeat this process on each wheel hub.

7. Check out websites like Autogeek on the Internet for wheel hub cleaning accessories. (See Resources below.)

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have an air compressor, blow the dust and debris off using your breath.

• If rust caused the rotor to stick to the wheel hub, use a hammer to tap around it to loosen it. If you plan to re-use the rotor, do not hit the back of it with the hammer as that may damage the rotor.

• Replace your wheel hubs every 85,000 to 100,000 miles.

• Let your car cool down before working on the brakes. The rotors heat up during use and could burn you.

Resources

• Buy a wheel hub cleaning tool here.