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My 2005/55 Ford Street Ka has done 45,000 miles. A week ago failed its MoT and needed a broken offside front spring and front arm replaced due to corrosion, plus brakes completely replaced. Advisories for corrosion were given on the three other springs. Then last night the offside right tyre deflated due to corrosion on the inside of the alloy rim. So should I now be very concerned about the corrosion? And in particular should I get all of the alloys checked? There is nothing obvious to the naked eye but then there wasn't anything obvious on the alloy that had a problem.

Asked on 20 February 2010 by G.G., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
Yes. Get all the wheels cleaned of brake dust and checked. This is an issue people don't think about. Brake dust contains metallic particles and when they combine with winter road salt, water and alloy a corrosion battery is formed. So it's just as important to clean brake dust off the inner surfaces of alloy wheels as it is to clean it off the polished outer surfaces. Inner rims of alloy wheels are also damaged and cracked by straddling speed cushions. Never do this. Always drive one wheel over; one wheel on the flat. Wreck your springs rather than the rims or the tyres.
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