Crazy8er

My third concern was with regard to the rusting brake rotor hubs. All four rotors are showing rust on the hub, where the wheels bolt to the brakes. I don’t think this is very impressive, when you consider how open to view the brakes are. This issue required more perseverence on my part as the service advisor dismissed my concerns as being normal. My request to discuss the issue with the service manager proved to be more fruitful. We did the pre-requisite dancing and ritual debating, with his position being it’s normal and mine being on a car where Mazda spent this much effort to detail, does this unsightly rust strike you as the look they were going for. He initially agreed to have them cleaned and repainted, but eventually I was able to move him to agree to replace all four rotors. I just hope this is not a re-occurring problem.

I guess I’m still getting used to the quirky new vehicle.

Spin9k

Your 'solution' you negotiated is not going to help (in the long run). The ONLY way to keep the same thing from happenning all over again is to paint them with a good epoxy hi-temp coating. Tire Rack (and others) sells the best paint. Spraying is messy and doesn't last, hand paining is the best. ---here--> http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/g2/caliper_paint.jsp.

It's a PITA to do, but then it's over with. You'll have the best opportunity to paint them immediately after you get the car back with the new rotors. Every day you wait after that the rust starts again, so don't procrastinate too long.

Unfortunately we don't get the finish detail of a higher priced cars, but then we didn't pay as much either. Still a PITA. Don't forget the hubs as well as the calipers, plus the dust shield in behind the rotor, and even the edge of the rotors if you want to be **** about it. Use three coats, not two, and buy better tiny brushes than the kit supplies. I bought a silver kit for the hubs, a red kit for the calipers. Even my dealer was impressed, and they really liked the 'RX-8' graphics from Polak Graphics.

Do a search, you'll find innumerable threads and pics about this. here's what it looks like done right

JOHNRX8

I agree Crazy8er, That was dumb on Mazda's part not to do a better job painting, I noticed Miata's are painted...why not the 8? Anyhow, Mine are painted too.

Cromero55

I just got my car on Friday and I have the same rust issues. I pointed it out to the manager, he said that as soon as I started to drive the rust would go away. Well, I was stupid in trusting him. I also have a small amount of rust on the inside of the rim how can I fix this problem? Or should I go back and demand the dealer do something about this?

Morgan

ahh, i hate my rust!!! It doesn't go away...i'm just going to paint over it in silver so at least the hidousness isn't seen!

Cromero55

I have been reading other threads and it seems that some dealers take care of this issue for you. Does anyone know if this is true?

MI_FamilyMan

I say arm yourself with some of the info from those threads and see if your dealer will accommodate you. Of course only if you trust them. They might put your stuff back together and all of a sudden you've got squeaking brakes...

MI_FamilyMan

Spin9k,

Nice job on those rotors/calipers. Looks real nice. But what's that scratch/scuff mark on your wheel??

A lot of the rust I had on my rotors when I first got the car has disappeared. I've only got a couple local spots left on my rears, which are kinda hard to see unless you get on one knee and look closely. So luckily I have no need for this "DIY" yet...

Cromero55

FamilyMan

Did you or do you have any rust on your rear hubs?

MI_FamilyMan

Cromero,
In case you didn't see my comment to Spin9k above, I did have a nice amount of rust on the hubs when I got the car, but alot of it seems to have gone away. I only have a little bit left on the rears. Not sure how it is coming off, especially the stuff that was on the hubs themselves. Perhaps I just haven't looked closely enough in a while. But it is definitely not as bad as I have seen on some other people's cars.

What I do know is that I have not gotten any additional rust on my hubs.