What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Paying alloymoney

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.
Similar questions
Why does my brake pedal feels as though its joined to other pedals with a bar when I apply the brakes?
I bought a Corsa VXR in September 2012 brand new, after a few months of owning I have had issues with the brakes screeching and binding. I have taken it back to the local dealer where I bought it three...
My Corsa has just failed its MOT because of a 'strong imbalance' between the L and R rear brakes. Apparently this could either be a distribution valve, or possibly the Master Cylinder. I was surprised...