So HOW much IS too much? I have never previously had a vehicle that has a lot of brake dust all over the wheels. Plenty of fine RED dust at only 22K miles. Is this normal for Dodge trucks? Is the solution better pads than the stock ones? If so, what's been used as a replacement?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

CD

 

I think most of the newer trucks make quite a bit of brake dust, especially in the first say 10,000, and then they seem to calm down.

I just wash my wheels every time I wash the truck, since the pickup is generally dirty when there is visible brake dust on the wheels. I also wash the inside of the wheels whenever I rotate.

I would guess (but don't know) that some of the harder compound/lifetime warranty pads might make less dust, but I also don't know if that would have an effect on rotor life or on stopping distance.

 

CD... There is a fine balance between the rotor hardness and the pad hardness. If the pads are wearing (brake dust) then there is a lot less rotor wear. If there is no brake dust then your rotors are wearing and they more costly than pads. If your pads and rotors do not have the correct coefficient
of friction there are all kinds of Ills that can arise. Brake squeal, pulsing, increased stopping distance, glazing of the pads, gouging of the rotors.
That said, there is always room for improvment, just get as much information as you can, just changing the pads for those that have less dust could cause some real issues.

 

yea...I agree with the accessive brake dust issue...I have never seen it this bad on a truck before....I cannot stand the brake dust on there so I find myself even washing the wheels between truck washes....and since I'm a freak about my truck being clean also....that's ALOT!

 

ceramic pads- the dust will be more of a white color- will not look as bad.

 

Well, I can get into the concept of the pads wearing faster than the rotor, less expense, etc. Now I am wondering how long the pads WILL last before I am having to replace them. Must be someone with higher milage on an 06 that has already done pads. I am just taken back by the amount of dust. Seemed to be a lot, much more than I would have thoght normal, but, maybe it will end up being normal for these truck in the overall as more people chime in to this thread.

I have a standard tranny, downshift, am not really into the brakes a lot. I just returned from a round trip to Minnesota and the dust was very noticable. I guess since I wash my truck as much as couple times a week normally, plus I live on a dirt road, I hadn't really noticed it. I did tow a pretty heavy load >12K and did have some more shorter breaking than usual on off-ramps, maybe it was just the trip itself without a wash? I have yet to look at the pads to see how much is worn off.

CD

 

A Jaaaaaaaaaaake E-Brake saves on service brake wear..

Now you have an excuse to buy that e-Brake...

 

I had a lot of dust when I first got may 03 and I put Kleen Wheels Dust Shields on. It kept the dust mostly on the back side of the wheels. I took them off when I put on Centermatic balancers and they seem to be doing the same job.

 

I have already been considering getting an e-brake. It certainly will help to cut down on the brake use. Still - the amount of dust seems to be high, suggesting the amount of wear will be faster than other brake pads on other vehicles I have or have had. Guess it's also time to look into which e-brake would be the better choice.

CD

 

From what I've read, anyway, people seem to be getting pretty long life out of the pads. I talked to one guy who was getting brakes, and he said he had 120,000 and this was his first set... The newer vehicles at work also seem to dust the wheels pretty quickly.

I wonder if there could be something about the new compound that makes it cling to wheels more, or perhaps the reddish color just shows worse.

 

Dang. Went looking for those other posts regarding brake dust and got lost. From what I remember they pretty much are like the above posts, lots of dust but lots of life. Im at 64k miles, always towing and the pads still look good.

 

After washing my front wheels they get re-coated in red brake dust quicker than a new-born can fill a diaper.
But they do work well

 

I was going to say my trans is manual and that's typically how I drive. I'll down shift and let the engine do as much of the braking as possible and I hardly ever get on the brakes. I'm not seeing an abnormal amount of dust on mine. I don't think it's any worse than other trucks I've had. I wash my truck about once a month and there is some dust on there but not too bad I don't think. I'm not towing anything though and that surely would cause more dust I'd think.

 

I get a lot of annoying dust as well, but I have 115k on them and it looks like I'll get at least another 10k or so. So long lasting and a lot of dust.

 

I was getting alot of dust also. I solved it by putting on Kleen Wheels Dust Shields. Give Geno's Garage a call. I have 15K and have had no issues with dust or any brake problems. Very happy with the look also.