Mustang Cobra V8-281 4.6L DOHC VIN V MFI (1997)
Wheels: Service and Repair
Maintenance
Cleaning
STEEL
Rim bead seats should be cleaned with a wire brush or coarse steel wool to remove lubricants, old rubber and light rust.
ALUMINUM
CAUTION: Do not use steel wool, abrasive-type cleaner or strong detergents containing highly alkaline or caustic agents as damage to the
protective coating and discoloration may result.
NOTE: Automatic car wash tire brushes may damage aluminum and styled road wheel protective coatings. Before using such a service, be sure
abrasive-type brushes are not being used.
Aluminum wheel rim bead seats should be cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner to remove tire mounting lubricants and old rubber. Before
mounting or dismounting a tire, the bead area should be well lubricated with a rubber lubricant meeting Ford specification ESA-M1B6-A or
equivalent.
Maintenance and Protection In Corrosive Environments
MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION IN CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
Aluminum wheels have a protective coating to resist corrosion. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the wheel or corrosion may occur.
Washing them (do not use highly alkaline cleaning agents) when washing the rest of the vehicle will be enough to keep wheels looking good for
many years. Certain environments, as created by some operations, can lead to corrosion. Some of these are salt, chloride compounds used for snow
removal, dust control and highly alkaline materials. When these conditions are encountered, the following practice is recommended:
1. Clean frequently with steam or high-pressure water from a hose. Use of a mild detergent will speed up the cleaning process.
2. When tires are removed, the entire wheel should be cleaned and inspected. The following procedure is suggested:
Surface Preparation
1. Remove all the soil and oil from the wheel surface with either high-pressure steam or solvent. A suitable solvent would be mineral spirit.
2. Remove any adherent soil or oxidation products by using a synthetic or natural bristle brush.
3. Clean the surface again with solvent, using mineral spirits to remove loose products.