brake dust

[David Cullen]

I get a lot of build up of brake dust on the wheels even though I wash the car every week, question is, are there pads out there that are low dust or is it just a case that there is nothing can be done...
ps I don't even use the brakes....
currently running mintex with solid disc

 

[bonzo]

I get a lot of build up of brake dust on the wheels even though I wash the car every week, question is, are there pads out there that are low dust or is it just a case that there is nothing can be done...
ps I don't even use the brakes....
currently running mintex with solid disc

If you don't use the brakes, don't bother with brake pads! Simples.

 

[badman gee]

Red stuff pads will help.

They give off a lot less dust.

Mark

 

[t-tony]

Red stuff pads make less dust because they are harder and consequently wear the discs more. Pagid are fairly good for this from ECP but their Eicher brand makes lots of dust. I know, I have them, but they are light on disc wear.

 

[badman gee]

Disc wear not an issue unless you do thousands of miles.

I prefer less dust and good brakes.

 

[badman gee]

As bonzo said, if you don't use the brakes don't bother. No braking means no dust!

 

[GazHyde]

are there pads out there that are low dust

As stated, yes there are. I had the EBC Green Stuff on the back of my Z4, and they were great for brake dust. The trade off was they were noisy when cold at low speeds. It was an auto, so lifting the brake pedal off to manouvre at slow speeds used to have people turning their heads to see what the noise was...

currently running mintex with solid disc

I have Mintex discs/pads on mine at the moment, and share your pain!

 

[badman gee]

Green stuff are the oem equivalent.

I would still go for red stuff for road use.

No noise and minimal disc wear.

I only do a thousand miles a year though.

 

[bonzo]

I have Pagid on Zelda, no problems!

 

[GazHyde]

I have Pagid on Zelda, no problems!

Hmmm, I had Pagid (from Euro car parts) on my 2.0 Z3, and I don't remember as much brake dust using those. Could be the Mintex are just more dusty I guess!

 

[stevie_a]

Only think about red stuff pads, as they are performance pads the need to be hot to work properly, so short trips down the shops will have poor braking.

Green stuff is the hardest I would use for normal road driving.

 

[David Cullen]

haha ok, lets clarify one thing, I do use my brakes o course lol, what I am saying is that I use the engine more and very little braking and even at that I get a lot of brake dust, thanks for all the replies guys, I will have a look at the Pagid brakes and see how I get on with them
and I presume if I change my discs to vented or grooved I will get double the amount of dust ;-/
disks and pads were only put on about 3 months ago but im thinking of doing the upgrade as I don't like the stopping power, or lack of...

 

[Rev]

The other solution is make the wheels easier to clean.

I tend to take them off every year, clean them thoroughly and wax with two coats inside and out.

When I wash the car I use a vehicle film remover spray. They come clean really easily just with a pressure washer. Every fourth or fifth clean I'll go in with a sponge and soapy water to try to get around the rear of the spokes.

It also has the advantage that it stops wheel deterioration. My Z8 is still on the original wheel paint after 24K miles and 12 years. Brake dust is a real killer to the paint on wheels, but with lack of it you won't clean them as often. So it'll linger and do it's stuff!

The Devils Advocate!

 

[badman gee]

I know a wheel secret

 

[zedonist]

I use red stuff, low dust, and amazing breaking hot or cold, recommend!

 

[Brian H]

Disc wear not an issue unless you do thousands of miles.

I agree, we see posts showing badly worn or corroded discs because the pad is too soft to clean the disc up after an unused period, with a harder pad the discs will still last along time and will stay nice and clean

I use red stuff, low dust, and amazing breaking hot or cold, recommend!

I agree again, never had any issues with cold brakes when using Green, Red, Yellow or Blue EBC pads. Dust is minimal on all variants.

 

[oldcarman]

As bonzo said, if you don't use the brakes don't bother. No braking means no dust!

And BMG is the resident expert on how not to get a brake dust problem. Put on new pads, red, don't drive.

 

[David Cullen]

haha, thanks again for replies guys and Rev has a good point that by keeping the wheels waxed and in good condition they will be easier to clean, very true, only thing is I am waiting for my new wheels to come back from paint, soon as they do though I will be changing pads

 

[bonzo]

I know a wheel secret

I can brake wind, not a trace of dust or yellow stuff!

 

[badman gee]

I can brake wind, not a trace of dust or yellow stuff!

Brown stuff ?