Cleaning stained wheelhubs

[Peter Swinkels]

I just removed a few classic heavy profile tires (those used for bulldozers, tractors, jeeps, etc. during the 80's and early 90's) from their hubs. Some hubs have stains like these:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RBy2R-noFIJfoUtxiUGMzNUDCzeQcAKf/view?usp=drivesdk

The tires look and feel fine but it seems some of the foam/rubber (whatever) detoriated slightly where it touched the hub.

Does anyone know how to clean this off? I tried soaking in several cleaning agents with no result.

Edited May 14, 2023 by Peter Swinkels

[1963maniac]

Yea, I have some of those. Recently, I realized mine are the same. But, I do think the wheels will slide off the hubs without that material there. I would recommend leaving it alone. I have two sets of that kind of tire and wheel and they are all like that from TLG. You may regret removing it, if you succeed.

Edited July 16, 2021 by 1963maniac

[Peter Swinkels]

The tires were slightly stuck when I tried removing them. What is TLG?

[Toastie]

@Peter Swinkels TLG = The Lego Group. Call it LEGO, which is - I believe - wrong, but everybody knows what you are talking about.

Now, with regard to your tires from the past: Do you have any that feel as if they have "liquid layer" on the surface? I have a ton of 90's ... 2000's tires here - they seem to liquify ;)

As I don't do cars that much, I could not care less, but I am observing :)))

Best,
Thorsten


 

[Peter Swinkels]

D'oh! Of course! No, I don't think they liquified. Mine appear to be in decent shape for 30-35 year old tires. How rough a cleaning should those hubs be able to handle? I seriously doubt anything from those tires actually got absorbed by the plastic. Or is that actually possible?

[MAB]

It is fairly common.  I don't think there is much you can do without using an abrasive cleaner that will scratch it off. Just stick the tyres back on!