Sensible to do while wheels are off?

[Krhuangbin]

Are there any sensible routine things that can be done while wheels are off a car?

I'm doing all brakes and pads tomorrow, but wondered whether it would be worth applying some silicone spray to wishbone bushes, CV boots, etc....

Worthwhile or waste of time?

Will give the whole wheel well a good scrub down too.

[Super Sonic]

Replace sidelight bulbs.

[GreenV8S]

Krhuangbin said:

I'm doing all brakes and pads tomorrow

Do you know how to do it properly, including the associated cleaning and regreasing, adjusting and flushing when necessary?

Taking the wheel off is no big deal and there's no particular reason to look for other stuff you can do while you're there, but if you're inexperienced there are plenty of things to miss or get wrong during a brake service so that's where I'd focus your attention.

[Smint]

Give the wheels a good shake and spin them up before taking them off, for wheel bearings.
Check for corrosion, and grease if you wish, any steel brake pipes, check flexible pipes carefully for any signs of wear or perishing cracks.
Check all CV joint boots.
Check all ball joints and their boots, and suspension pivot points using something strong for leverage.
Have a good poke nose for signs of rust and treat how or with your preferred method or treatment, also clean out any water traps of accumulated muck, this especially applies to the lip over the rear wheelarch on most cars, if really full of crud then you'll need to soak it first and then wash it out with a hose pipe.
Don't forget to lube the park brake cable whilst the brakes are dismantled, both ends.

[steveo3002]

arch liners off and clean it all , maybe add cavity wax if older car/keeping it

i go round and dab some grease or wax protection on any exposed threads /bolt heads to try and save me hassle further down the road

wouldnt spray anything on rubber bushes

[QJumper]

Last time I had the rear wheels off I also removed the liner and gave the whole of the wheel well a good clean. There was a lot of caked on mud, which I brushed off quite easily with one of those plastic brushes you attach to a drill. As someone else said, the lip is the most awkward bit, and needs soaking first before using your hands to remove the dirt.

Once I got everything clean I gave everything, including brake and fuel lines, a good spray with ACF 50. Just stick a plastic bag over the wheel, secured with a zip tie, before you start spraying stuff.