Hespra

Search command herein for "wheel rust" brought up "rotors." Said rotor seemed to be part of the brake system. Will now ask a question that indicates how little I know about mechanical things: can one can *see* a rotor when wheel is on the car? I *saw* rust in the inner wheel cavity on almost every 04 (about 7) still on dealership lot last Thursday. Didn't look like a healthy situation to me.

If rust is (1) not good and (2) our vehicles are prone to this problem, is it likely that Mazda will remedy same via dealership service centers? If so, given that I would like to head this one off before it becomes a problem, what do I ask for at the service center? Wheel paint of some sort?

At the moment, most of technical information available on this forum is w-a-y above my head. I learn fast but will need your patience and a lay-person's explanation.
Thanks for your help
H

RXE16T

The brake rotor is visible when the wheel is on the car.
Which area are you referring to which contains the rust?

Is it the wheel itself or is it the brake hub?

RXE16T

Here, I've attached a photo for you to help you identify what's what.

Red circle = wheel hub
Yellow circle = disc rotor
Blue circle = brake caliper

Hespra

Thank you for the picture. This is very difficult because I don't know the correct terminology.

I went out to the web and found a picture of what I think fits the description of "disc" and therefore, presumably, the brakes. I couldn't find a picture where camera aimed straight at the wheel. Your jpg is much better. It is the yellow circle area that was rusty. The rotor! How about that. I've learned more than I thought I had. :p

There were several 8's on the lot. About 10 (04's) and a smattering of 05's. None of the 05's had rust in the wheel cavity but almost every 04 showed various degrees of an accumulation that looked like oxidized iron. Perhaps this will wear off as soon as the car is driven?

The cars were very rain/dirt spattered from just sitting around. I thought it very interesting that the two vehicles dealership using as demo's had the most oxidation on the yellow circle area in your jpg. In my jpg-- it would be the largest round shiny piece.

Hoping we're now on the same page....
H

RXE16T

The brake rotor is bare metal so when it's exposed to water or moisture in the air, it will develop a thin layer of rust.

This is gone as soon as you drive the car since the rotor turns and the "rust" is wiped off by the brake pads.

Perfectly normal for any car.

SantozRx8

yeah ive its that rust on the rotor itself it comes off as soon as you drive it its just from moisture i suppose from just sitting there if it rains at night the rust stuff will be there in the morning and its no biggy happens with all cars that ive seen that sit there... im guessin that dealership doesnt sell many 8's....

RXE16T

.....or washes them every morning.

Hespra

Added dark redbrown splotches to the jpg where rust accumulating on my car.
It's driven every day. Getting more rust in that crevice as time passes (place where rotor meets the hub?). I shall now assume this is normal.

Just to make sure I understand: if any of the four areas identified in that jpg become rusty, there is no reason to be concerned. Correct??

Every car I've owned in the past had solid-face hubcaps. Couldn't see in there. Out of sight, out of mind.

Thanks guys.
H

RXE16T

Still fairly normal having the rust in those spots you have marked..... if it is a concern for you, get the dealer to have a look and see whether they will paint or repair that area for you under warranty.

It is purely a cosmetic thing and will not affect the performance of the braking in any way.

Go48

I think you got it nojooc. They probably "wash" them in place and don't drive them, so the rotors rust a little more every time they do that. Could get really nasty looking over time and I would guess that this could actually pit the rotors if the car sits there for months. Dumb dealer for sure.

quack_p

Ahh, well, the dealers are damned if they do, damned if they don't. If they drive the car, people are pissed because there's so much mileage on a new car. If they don't drive the car, people are pissed because there's rust on the brakes. Tsk tsk.

RXE16T

True.... this dilemma I face everyday.

800Degrees

Hespra...

I had the same rust (your rust brown splotches you added to the photo) as in the picture. I had the dealer sand it and paint it with a special expoxy (?) under warranty. Talk to the service manager - he should know of this fix by now.

Surface rust on the brake disc is normal - my car sits for 3-4 days some times (I won't drive it if it's raining) and the rotors turn a nice shade of orange. Rust on other parts... not acceptable.

salituro64

I saw the same issue. Rust on the rotor I can deal with, but not on the hub which was the case on most in the dealership I puchased from. Turns out most of the 04s still on the lot were there for quite some time. My RX8 sticker under the hood (from the port of delivery) says 11/03 and I purchased mine in 10/04. Needless to say, I told the dealer if you want me to take the car, I want new hubs and rotors. They took care of it before delivery. Also becasue of the manufacture date, they did the M Flash.