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Non-obvious things to do when a wheel is off

• Get a small magnet and cover it in plastic wrap. Run it over the lug bolts to remove any metal particles that could cause your lugs to jam in place. Blow out the lug nuts with compressed air.

• If you have CV joints to worry about, check the boot’s condition. If it breaks, a thick layer of CV joint grease mixed with road grime will spew out onto everything nearby, and you might need a new CV joint in addition to the boot if any crud finds its way inside. One slit in the boot can make a huge mess.

• Put protectant on the inner tire sidewall.

• Clean brake dust off the normally unreachable part of the rim with some Desolv-It (or brake cleaner on an unpainted rim, but it’s not as effective). Brake dust can accelerate rust on steel rims and will have already ruined the finish of an alloy rim :P

• If you have steel rims, spread a little antiseize/penetrating oil where the rim meets the hub to reduce the chance of the two rust-fusing together.

Comments

Tyler H:

When I have the wheels off: I put a little anti-seize on the studs. Look at the brakes, pads, lines and calipers. Roll the wheel and look for shrapnel in the tire. Pull any rubber marbles/slugs off of the brakes and rims. Bleed the brakes after events.
May 25, 2008 2:22 p.m.

scotaku:

Check for leaky dampers. Give any balljoints a good inspection just as with CV boots. Brake pads/shoes still healthy?
Jun 29, 2008 1:31 p.m.

aircooled:

When you put the wheel back on, wipe or brush (at least the top of) the lug bolt threads. Many times you will drag the wheel across them and put gunk in the threads.
Jul 24, 2008 6:44 p.m.

dean1484:

Paint the back of aluminum rims where they touch the steel of the rotor/hub. This will prevent the galvanic reaction that occurs and fuses the two together (worse than rust!!!) If you dont want to paint them you can also use anti seize (not the copper stuff use the standard grey stuff) This works well but do not over apply as it will be slung on to the inside of the rim. This will have to be repeated as necessary with each tire removal.
Nov 21, 2008 7:13 p.m.