Rusty Brake Callipers

[Helsam67]

Hi All

I've just got an email back from the dealers regarding a warranty claim I made for rusty brake callipers and wheel nuts on my 06 Brera. They agreed to replace the rusty wheel nuts but said AR UK refused to consider replacing the very rusty callipers. Even the dealer told me to put in a complaint to AR UK, which I did. Very disappointed as I was looking at changing it next March for the 159ti Estate but now I’ve decided to go to the BMW 335/330 Diesel touring. My Girlfriends got a BMW 320 ci a year older and virtually same miles and there’s not a spec of rust on disc centres, let alone callipers! People look at the car and go wow! But then see the rust and say ‘Typical Alfa!!’

I love it to pieces and it’s the best new car I’ve ever owned but I cannot accept rust on a car of just over two years. I had a VX 220 for 3 years before this and a 7 year Landrover and they didn’t have rust. I’ll have to paint them if my complaint falls on deaf ears and given what I’ve read on here, that sounds very likely.

I really hate posting these sorts of issues but until big companies like AR UK improve customer focus then I’ll post my thoughts and purchase elsewhere next time………..Pity! Have a look and please give me your honest opinions. Am I being unreasonable?

Steve

[Fraser]

Jeez - they look terrible and I don't think you're being unreasonable.

Remember, though, the Ti (or any 2.4/3.2 model) comes with the larger brakes and the calipers with AR script. Mine are absolutely spotless after 14 months and look like new.

[Dougie166]

I noted my rear calipers and wheel nuts were looking a bit rough after I purchased my Brera (2 years old) - A quick rub over with a wirebrush and some spray hammerite sorted the calipers and a silver touch up brush sorted the wheel nuts.

I do not think Alfa are alone in corroded calipers - All makes (without Brembo or such calipers) seem to suffer the same fate! I always feel it lets a car down and sort immediately on my own. The wheel nuts issue is annoying - My 166s had chromed standard nuts so no problem, I dont know why Alfa did not continue this!

[cj romeo]

My old 159 is now 2 years old and apparently doesnt look like that.

I believe these are Lucas Calipers.

That condition is, I am afraid. commonly caused by heavy acidic or caustic wheel cleaners. I have seen it before and there are some technical bulletins kicking about from the brake suppliers about this.

You can of course paint them, and I feel ARUK should offer this as goodwill

[AndreasM]

That doesn't look right. Did you perhaps try to clean or polish the calipers and wheel nuts with something like a metal brush in the beginning? That might have removed a protective coating. After one winter with quite salted roads these parts on my 159 are a bit dirty but not rusty at all.

[Bill_Green]

Mine look exactly the same if not worse, both wheelnuts and calipers.
To be truthfull, I'd never noticed the calipers were so bad but the wheel nuts stand out like a sore thumb.

[Squadrone Rosso]

I have never seen calipers like that in all my years of being into cars (21 years)

[Helsam67]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. AR UK phoned today to ask about my complaint. When I said why don't they just look at the pictures they were sent? They said they didn't have them. I said how could they quash my claim without even seeing them.......? The guy was well embarrassed. I then told him if he wished to see them he could go on to the owner’s website!! At this point he said he needed an official source so would go back to the dealer. He then said he’d phone me in an hour. No phone call yet.

I’ll keep you posted

Steve

[Helsam67]

AR UK agreed to replace both front callipers as a goodwill gesture today. Result.

Thanks for your input

Steve

[ius101]

Originally Posted by Helsam67

AR UK agreed to replace both front callipers as a goodwill gesture today. Result.

Thanks for your input

Steve

Top job steve!!

ARUK have come good!!

[Fraser]

Well done Steve. Nice to get a good-news story.

[Commanderfish]

That's better. Good stuff. Mine seem fine after a year but I hope alloy wheel cleaner isn't responsible. Seems unlikely if it's only your fronts affected.

[Mr-T]

Originally Posted by Helsam67

.......Am I being unreasonable?

I wouldn't say so, no.

[Bill_Green]

I had a friend of mine look at mine today. Although the fronts looked exactly the same as Helsam's pictures, he commented that aluminium alloy goes white not brown when it rusts, an obvious point that I missed.

Seems that the rust comes from the steel retaining clip which does rust quite heavily. Eventually, this sprays rusty water onto the caliper body that then dries on giving a real bad appearance. This "rust" can actually just be scraped off with a fingernail as we found out.

Pitty this isn't the same with the wheel nuts.