Brake Dust?

Vindicate · Post by **Vindicate** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:27 pm

Dirty (Click to enlarge, and yes that's curb rash on the spoke, I'm a noob what can I say)

Clean (Same deal)

Is that brake dust? If so, anyone know what causes it? If that's not brake dust.. anyone know what it is? It's been about 1.5 weeks since I washed my car...

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:34 pm

Ya that break dust.

What causes it is your brake pads braking down when in use. Its normal.

Lifetime pads are hard on rotors but last. Cheap pads are easy on the rotors and get used up quicker.

Get cermaic pads if you can afford them

Vindicate · Post by **Vindicate** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:16 am

I understand that jsut found it weird that it only dirties the one wheel out of four (front passenger)

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:24 am

I don't know much about cars, but I would imagine that if the brake caliper was not pressing evenly, you'd have increased brake dust from the pad wearing unevenly (I base my answer on the fact that one of your wheels is getting a lot of brake dust, and the others none)

CaptainPioneer · Post by **CaptainPioneer** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:47 am

^^^ I agrree with jake... my truck has that problem and i am getting unequal distribution in pressure and my front passenger seems to be a little dirtier than most others... If you have a compressor with an air fitting on it take off the rim and blow out all the dust from the rotor and inside it... It actually helps a bit... Another thing is if that car is a standard... use ur downshift a bit more to slow the car down, Yeah it burns a tad more gas but u save ur breaks and who doesnt like to hear that higher whine out of the engine when u downshift?? lol

Ampresearch · Post by **Ampresearch** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:10 am

Ryan from Ohio wrote:Get cermaic pads if you can afford them

ditto on that one for sure. i bought some and i have almost no dust at all. i bought them well oevr a year ago and no end in sight. plus they have lifetime replacment. the cost is not that much more and very well worth it

CaptainPioneer · Post by **CaptainPioneer** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:06 am

I agree i have composite breaks but they suck my new car has Ceramic pads and they are great!

Post by **GlassWolf** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:46 am

want to fix the problem?
get better pads. that's the best way to improve braking, as well.
get better low-dust pads. they'll cost ya a bit, but they'll last longer, and dust less, and work better.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:14 pm

Im going to look into some ceramics for the Alero...

Jszar · Post by **Jszar** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:45 pm

To save your wheels from permanent stains, go to an auto store and by a silicone based dressing, like for an engine. Spray on a good coat and let it set for a minute, then rinse it completely (especially the outside of the rim) to prevent visible streaks. It takes some practice, but it works well. Every time I clean my rims, it virtually washes off with water, leaving a brand new-looking wheel. Once it dries, it is completely invisible.