Hello,

So, I discovered today that what appears to be a surface rust is starting to form on several of one of my vehicles lugnuts, but primarily on the inside of the wheel lock on each tire. What would be causing this? Is there anything that I can do to remove the rust? It looks terrible!

The car is a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited. We had this SUV through last winter, so I'm not sure why all of the sudden this started happening. The car did receive it's last oil change/tire rotation at NTB, so I'm not sure if they could have done something incorrectly.

Bottom line, what's the best method to removing this? Is this fairly normal? (I live in Chicago, IL).

Lastly, if this rust cannot be removed, will the dealership replace the lugnuts under factor bumper to bumper warranty?

Thanks much!

Jeff

 

Metal lug nuts, metal studs......rust.
Remove each wheel, and take a wire brush and remove rust dust from each stud. Cover drum or rotor with a old towel, and spray with WD-40.
Give each lug bolt the same treatment, simply tap on hard surface while upside down, then spray WD in each lug nut. Twist paper towel into each lug nut to absorb excess WD-40, and to remove rust dust. Reinstall each well, and torque nuts to proper rating.

 

Hold the phone there, tiger.

I have a 2004 Santa Fe and I have the chrome plated factory lugs. They are this way because they're exposed (aka the lugs do not have a cover like some cars do). I believe this is a warranty issue so I'd recommend you speak to your dealer about this. I have been all over the Hyundai forums and your issue is the first I've heard of this. I still have the original lugs on mine and no rust; then again living in a state that doesn't use road salt probably helps.