I have a new 2500 which I recently took on a fairly long trip towing a heavy 5er. The truck performed very well, however as I was coming home out of the hills in Pennsylvania, I started to notice a dusting on the front aluminum rims. I had been doing a bit of braking but not really hard braking. On closer examination it seemed to be a bit oily combined with reddish dark dust. I have since cleaned the front rims a couple of times but still notice a slight oily film that dust sticks to on just the front wheel rims.
Does anyone have an idea what this is caused by? The ruck has about 9000 miles on it. Everything seems to work fine though.
thanks for any advice.

 

Did you put anything on the tires (Armorall) and have some overspray? The red dust is brake dust. Normal. Pull the wheels and have a look. Probably nothing but you wanna be sure no caliper leaks.

 

I towed my 5er from OKC to Barry's Bay, Ontario (above NY, west of Ottawa) and back. When I arrived in Barry's Bay, with only 2500 miles on the truck, I had the same reddish covered front wheels . When I returned home, I washed the truck and it came right off . Guess it's not only just brake dust, but reddish brake dust at that . I don't think it's anything to be concerned about, even though I've never seen reddish brake dust before. But, boy, don't those brakes work great ;D.

 

I'd say the dust is normal. Probably the oil you refer to is just road film. Mine are a tad bit oily as well.

 

Wash it off before it bakes itself on, then its a pain to clean later.

The dust on my 'Stang is red too.

 

I did armorall the tires. So that may be what I am seeing with the breke dust sticking to it. Although I can not see why the same thing did not happen to the rear wheels. It washes off easily. I was also wondering if it might be some grease from the wheel bearings. I can not see any loss of brake fluid or any possible oil coming from the engine compartment.

 

Very possible that DC uses different "mixtures" when building the friction materials (brake pads). Your front brakes will work harder to stop the truck also.

 

Yes I know what caused it. Your truck is asking for an exhaust brake.

 

The red brake dust is microscopic iron oxide dust created by friction of the pads with the rotors. You definately need an e-brake to reduce the wear when towing.

I just returned from towing my fiver some 9800 miles to Alaska and back. My PacBrake sure saved my brakes on those frequent long downhill grades. Without it I would be ready for a brake job after driving the world's longest roller coaster.

P.S. The iron oxide dust can react with aluminum in damp weather and etch the aluminum. Thoroughly wash it off as soon as possible.

 

The rear brakes are made from a different material and that is why they don't make as much dust. I'm not sure what the difference is but the fronts definitely do most of the braking..

Mine does it too by the way. I contacted Kleen Wheels and they make covers that go inside the rims that work very well to keep the dust down to a very minimum. I had them on my 98 Dually and I got absolutely no dust on the rims..

Part numbers:

17" chrome/steel wheels Part # 2288 $ 52.95

17" steel wheels Part # 2287 $ 52.95

i forgot the number for the aluminum wheels..