Brake dust - tired of it!!

kebo · May 27, 2011

I'm tired of having to keep wiping the brake dust off of the alloy rims on my truck. I think there are some disc brake pads that create very little amounts of brake dust, compared to the usual brake pads that you find in 90% of the parts stores. I have been told that NAPA makes a set, but they are pretty pricey like about $80 a set. Anybody know of some brake pads that generate very little (or no) black dust and don't cost an arm and a leg?? Thanks.

bp fick · May 27, 2011

When the ceramic pads came out 12-15 years ago, they cut break dust in half. They only seemed pricey, as their functionality was worth every penny.

Now, I believe, and other can chime in, they've been super ceded by even better, if expensive products. The typical auto store stocks el cheapo, cheap metallic, pretty good, ceramic, and even better than ceramic.

For my money and my usage, I'd never, ever put cheapo or cheap pads on. Just not worth it.

lostcause · May 27, 2011

some wheels designs seem to be more prone to drawing the brake dust due to the way they are designed. just the way the air flows through the holes in the wheels. maybe some different pads will do it, but then again, it may not help.

Herr farms · May 28, 2011

Ceramic pads do create dust, but the dust is white. Much much less noticeable. Been using them for years on my F-150 with alloy wheels and I would never go back to metalics.

slowzuki · May 28, 2011

Never cleaned the wheels (or washed it in general) before but I've got ceramics on one of my vehicles with high miles, seem to eat rotors pretty good without using pad material.

Egon · May 28, 2011

Try them eighty dollar pads from Napa[extreme service]. You may be pleased with the enhanced stopping. Course the rotors may take a beating.

ultrarunner · May 28, 2011

Dust doesn't necessarily equate cheap.

All European Cars have this issue... especially noticeable on High end cars like BMW and Mercedes.

Some have used Dust Shields and found a noticeable reduction.

JDgreen227 · May 28, 2011

kebo said:
I'm tired of having to keep wiping the brake dust off of the alloy rims on my truck. I think there are some disc brake pads that create very little amounts of brake dust, compared to the usual brake pads that you find in 90% of the parts stores. I have been told that NAPA makes a set, but they are pretty pricey like about $80 a set. Anybody know of some brake pads that generate very little (or no) black dust and don't cost an arm and a leg?? Thanks.

Every time we buy a new car or truck, if it can be fitted with the brake dust shields that go by the name of Kleen Wheels, I buy a set. My Y2K Yukon XL 2500 has factory alloys and they still look like new, because they never get brake dust on them. My 2004 Lesabre is the Celebration edition with the chrome plated wheels, they have such tight clearance to the calipers that shields cannot be fitted. The chrome attracts brake dust like a magnet. Am on the second set of pads, supposedly the replacments are better than the OEM set was, but they still produce lots of dust. The Kleen Wheels cost about $100 per set of four, I would cheerfully buy a set for my Buick if they would fit. Wish I too could get pads that don't create so much dust.

JDgreen227 · May 28, 2011

Egon said:
Try them eighty dollar pads from Napa[extreme service]. You may be pleased with the enhanced stopping. Course the rotors may take a beating.

OEM quality rotors for my Lesabre cost about $65-$80 each...I am hoping the replacment set (from NAPA) can be turned when it comes time for the next brake pad replacement. The OEM rotors were too thin to be turned although they were not really scuffed up by the original pads. What a ripoff.

sld · May 28, 2011

I have been using the Wagner Therma-Quiet pads from O'riellys on all of our vehicles. They are about 60 bucks per set but I have taken advantage of the lifetime warranty before and they replace them free no questions asked. They are very good pads to say the least and I have noticed very little dust on the wheels with them.

My wife's car has about 85k on a set and as soon as I find time I am going to get a free replacement for them. I will probably buy new rotors but it will be a cheap brake job that will take all of about 30 minutes (front only).