[Z06] Brake Dust
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Bangor ME
Brake Dust
After driving my car about 200 to 300 miles my front wheels are pretty filthy with brake dust. This is not the case with my DD, an '04 Sierra P/U. Is this because of the aggresive nature of the brakes/pads? I wouldn't be opposed to sacrifcing a small amount of stopping power for a little cleaner set up. That's probably blasphemy to say, I know, but I'm just driving on the street. Nowhere to run on a track around here. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver WA
I believe that one thing causes dirty wheels that is not attributed to actually using the brakes. That is, the brake cooling ducts are blowing air at the rotors and wheels and I think they will also blow dirt, etc. thru the wheel openings and thus the dirty wheels.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Bangor ME
Hadn't thought of that. It appears to be black dust, but it's probably hard to tell exactly what the dust is.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
So, IMHO, either change to ceramics or just get used to washing the wheels often.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Washington
Unless you are using ceramic pads, it's brake dust, plain and simple. If all you are doing is street driving, go for ceramics. Hawk HPS are good pads, but I found they dusted just as much as the stock pads.
So, IMHO, either change to ceramics or just get used to washing the wheels often.
So, IMHO, either change to ceramics or just get used to washing the wheels often.
I put on ceramics and now am pretty much dust free.
I put stock pads back on for track use.
Lots of dust then
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 150
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From: Chesapeake Beach MD
yeah the previous owner warned me about this and he wasnt kidding. After a day of driving with the stock pads my front rims are covered. As soon as these wear out ill be upgrading the stock pads and rotors.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Florida
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 433
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From: Vancouver Washington
It takes just a few minutes to remove the old, dusty, pads and replace them with new ceramic ones.
Then you still have the stock pads for use later if you ever track your car.
I have the process down to about 15 mins which includes jacking up the car and removing the wheels.
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No doubt brake dust is a PITA but the deer in my area don't seem to have a preference as to who they run out in front of. I'll trade some dust for stopping power any day.
I put a heavy coat of Rejex on the wheel exteriors and a quick power wash rinse takes the dust right off. When I arrive at a cruise-in or show I go over them (fronts mostly) with my California wheel duster.
http://calcarduster.com/microFiberWheel.asp
I put a heavy coat of Rejex on the wheel exteriors and a quick power wash rinse takes the dust right off. When I arrive at a cruise-in or show I go over them (fronts mostly) with my California wheel duster.
http://calcarduster.com/microFiberWheel.asp
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
I thinks we all suffered from those issues at one point or another. Some of us are still suffering from the dreaded Brake Dust.
I dramatically reduced my dust issues by switching to D/S rottors and Hawk's HPS pads. I didn't sacrifice any stopping power either. Spent approx, $300 on the swap. Hope this helps
I dramatically reduced my dust issues by switching to D/S rottors and Hawk's HPS pads. I didn't sacrifice any stopping power either. Spent approx, $300 on the swap. Hope this helps
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 433
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From: Vancouver Washington
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 42
From: Valley Lee MD
I thinks we all suffered from those issues at one point or another. Some of us are still suffering from the dreaded Brake Dust.
I dramatically reduced my dust issues by switching to D/S rottors and Hawk's HPS pads. I didn't sacrifice any stopping power either. Spent approx, $300 on the swap. Hope this helps
I dramatically reduced my dust issues by switching to D/S rottors and Hawk's HPS pads. I didn't sacrifice any stopping power either. Spent approx, $300 on the swap. Hope this helps