How to reduce brake-pad dust?

[jsarche]

I've had my 04 SE for about two months and have noticed that the front brakes are spitting a lot of dust onto the wheels. I know the stuff is not good for the alloy, so I try to wash as often as I can find time.

Are there replacement pads that produce lower amounts of dust, or is there any other way to reduce the dust?

Thanks.

 

[CMiYC]

Use your brakes less.

 

[sharp4runr]

Not sure if they make them for SUVs, but EBC Green Stuff works awesome on cars... They have less brake dust...

 

[NoDak]

another option is to install the brake dust shields.

 

[<<<<]

Dust is just carbon particles. You can try carbon-metalic pads but they tend to squick more.

 

[momo.75]

It is also a good idea to put a couple coats of wax on your rims, inside and out, when you rotate your tires. That will help repell some of the dust so the rims don't start pitting.

 

[Pinuz]

I have my 4runner from 30 september and the dust is nothing compared with my Jeep Grand Cherokee!

 

[BlueGP]

My fiance has a 02 Grand Cherokee and the brake dust is horrible on that car. We can take it on a trip and the front rims are so coated I have to scrub at them with a brush. I guess it doesn't help that the car is crap and I can't wait to get rid of it!

 

[SteveM]

Live with brake dust from a BMW for a month and stop complaining!

Seriously, there's not much to be done other than waxing the wheels so the dust doesn't stick.

I've tried a couple of cleaners with varying results.

Soap and water works but requires some scrubbing.

Griot's wheel cleaner is not much better than soap and water.

BMW wheel cleaner works pretty good.

 

[BlueGP]

What kind of wax do you use on your wheels?

 

[momo.75]

I have recently been using Griot's Carnuba paste wax, but really any paste wax will do for wheels. You ar just giving it a good protective coat.

 

[JungleJim]

Our mechanic put ceramic brake pads on my wife's CRV. They work great, NO brake dust, and they are supposed to last longer. According to my trusted mechanic, most brake pads will be ceramic within the next 10 years.

The front wheels have never been cleaner!

 

[Cleric]

Live with brake dust from a BMW for a month and stop complaining!

Good Call! I used to wipe my front wheels almost daily.

 

[Bobby]

EBC Green stuff is fine for cars under 3200lbs. Anything over and it's starts to break apart with any heat. They also leave residue on the rotors which cause symptoms similar to warped rotors.

Brake dust shields are bad too. They don't let your rotors cool off and you'll have brake fade faster than w/o.

I just got my 4Runner and don't know much about pads for big SUVs so I can't really recommend anything. Just what not to do. Axxis Ultimates are supposedly less dusty but I don't know if it would work for a 5500-6000lb car.

You can have good brakes or less dust, choose one.

-Bobby

 

[Gunther]

Dusty wheels

Go with ceramic pads. They create virtually no dust and brake much better as they also produce less heat. The 4Runner application may be a bit tough to find, but I'm sure they're out there. I changed our Volvo S60R to ceramics. As it was they were filthy within days of a good wash. Now they remain the cleanest part of the car!

BTW, I have always heard that you should never wax wheels. The wax gives the dust and other sediment something to hold onto.

Good luck!
Gun

 

[momo.75]

I have been waxing my wheels on for two years on my 4Runner, 4 years previously on my Maxima, and 3 years before that on my Bonneville. Never had any pitting at all.