Hello all. My GTS's centre lock nuts have discoloured a weird, mottled white-grey. See picture below. It's very noticeable against the black rims, and distinctly unattractive. I have been enjoying the car on track, and wonder if the wheels getting hot have led to this? However I can't imagine they're meant to discolour like that regardless of track use. Any thoughts?

 

That's terrible! I would imagine porsche would change them at no charge due to a manufacturer defect.

 

That looks like something corrosive got in contact with them. What do you use to wash your wheels?

 

This.

It' not the heat.

Post this on the GT3 forum, too. I think I've seen this issue over there in the past. They'll know.

 

Is the picture representative of all 4 wheels? If so you probably have a corrosion/oxidization issue from wheel cleaning chemicals or some road chemicals you came in contact with. Based on your location it could have been the moist air or salt water on coastal drives. Either way I bet you could get those replaced under warrantee. That would drive me insane.

 

Happened to mine, having cleaned them only with products supplied by Porsche. They were replaced, but then it happened again (although not as badly). Then I heard somewhere to wipe them with olive oil and, um, it seems to work. Do that about every other time I clean the car and no problems.

Another centre-lock question though: what are people's level of expectation about scuff marks on the lock nuts following removal for tyre changes? Just had MPSSes put on, which are great, but has removed the anodisation in a couple of places. Will post pics next time I clean the car so can be seen clearly.

 

The following is from my GTS owners manual:

Rim Cleaner
Using rim cleaners:
Rim cleaners can bleach the anodized surface of
the central bolt. f Only use rim cleaners approved by Porsche
and use these sparingly and in accordance
with instructions for use.

I never use anything but soap and water to clean my wheels for this reason. I had CL wheels on my 2012 997 GTS that I had for almost 4 years, and on my current 2015 991 GTS. CL center lock nuts look like new.

The following is also in the owners manual under alloy wheel cleaning:

Use only cleaners for alloy wheels
(pH value 9.5). Products with the wrong
pH value can destroy the protective layer
on the wheels.

 

clearly an overly aggressive wheel cleaner that ate the anodization. could be your oppty to buy the red centerlocks. super sweet.

 

sadly its going to happen, with the sort of loads you have to put on that CL nut to break and torque them some amount of wear will occur on it

 

In which case, a black Sharpie is your best friend . . . .

 

Thanks. If it's normal wear and tear I'll stop worrying.

And yes! Mrs Rat loves Sharpies and has massive stash of the things. Will pillage...

 

For the record, when touching up the light tooling marks, a sharpie will turn out purple. It's just enough to be noticable.
If you use a touch up pen like this, it drys perfectly black.
http://shop.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...FZOCfgodSx4CYg
You can buy them from most gun stores or sporting goods.

 

It is not. It's the wheel cleaner you or your detail shop are using.

This is the check-mark response. 100% what you are seeing.

Head, meet nail.

 

I'm not convinced. If the CL nut is the same material as the wheel than it shouldn't happen. I can see it happening if you live on a coastal area and the salt air gets to the aluminum but if the nut is affected and not the wheels than I would attribute that to a defective in workmanship.

 

Most likely a different coating on the CL nut compared to the wheel. That damage does not look like defective workmanship.