Brake dust
 

I've been noticing alot of brake dust residue on my wheels.
I'm wondering if this is normal. After a few days 3-4 days the entire front wheels are covered in dark residue. I did some research on the net and they say brake dust is extremely corrosive and will damage the finishing over time if not cleaned.

Anyone else experiencing the same thing?

Re: Brake dust
 

Yes, OEM pads create a lot of brake dust. You have two options here. Change the pads to something that creates less dust like the HAWK Ceramic or put up with the dust and clean regularly like once per week like I do.

Re: Brake dust
 

I have the same problem, some wheel cleaners do a better job at keeping the wheel cleaner for longer.

Re: Brake dust
 

Same.........watch out with the wheel cleaners though.......if they say rinse in a couple of mins do so as they are corrosive as well.

Re: Brake dust
 

Same on my wife’s new Tiguan, seems to easily cleaned with dump cloth. But must be done regularly.

Re: Brake dust
 

I'm with Mikeh. I used to have lots of dark dust that finally corroded 2 of my OEM wheels a bit. With my new S8 brake set up, I went with Hawk ceramic pads and performance is great and there is no sound at all and no dust to notice. Don't have to worry about ugly, corrosive dust any more!

Re: Brake dust
 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...3L._SS500_.jpg

ARMOR ALL WHEEL PROTECTANT--bought some at Costco--seems to help the brake dust issue.

Re: Brake dust
 

I read an article from Canadian Driver at:

CanadianDriver Consumer Information and Advice Unsightly Brake Dust (and what you can do about it)

and apparently you can install dust sheilds. Jaguar and Ford have them as standard equipment on some models. See below for the link on the dust sheilds. Not sure if i'm going to install them.

Kleen Wheels are dust shields which protect your wheels from brake dust

Re: Brake dust
 

This is neat product. I am just not sure if the size is large enough to accomodate the break caliper and also not sure how much extra weight this will put on each tire and possibly impact gas consumption/handling. Neat idea though. Great find.

There is a chemical in rim cleaning products (it's name has escaped me) you have to watch out for it because it will remove the polish on the alloy. This actually happened to my rim part of it is permanently stained. I am now using a Canadian tire product which doesn't have this chemical in it, it's fantastic and safe. Can't recall it's name but the bottle is pink.

Re: Brake dust
 

In my quote above I said break" caliper" I meant "rotor" :oops:

Re: Brake dust
 

just put on some Ceramic Pads. Hawk Pro series are great for brake dust and excellent stopping power and wear really well without squealing in the cold Canadian winters. i just changed my fronts for my A4 as that's where most of the stopping/dust problem is. 220 for the pads with the sensors in them and installed!

Re: Brake dust
 

Where did you get yours?

Re: Brake dust
 

I'm new to this forum, but have worked with Audi for more than 10 years and owned numerous. The concern about brake dust is common among all Audi models (really all German manufacturers for that matter), not just the Q5. You should see the Q7 with the s-line package and 20's.

Please read carefully, the factory wheels will not have a problem and degrade because of brake dust build up if maintained.

[B]Please note that you should not use any form of cleaner on the wheels[/B] for a number of reasons, but the two most important are: the degreasing compounds will destroy the clear coat finish and cause browning over time, possibly even corrosion/oxidation and second the clearner can and almost always gets on the brake components which can destroy sensitive parts for the ABS sensors, as well as corroding the caliper itself. Trust me when I tell you, Audi will not warranty this and you're stuck with a bill.

Like others have said. Simply buy some "car wash detergent" and use a soft scrub mit and wash them down. If this is done regularly, like every second week then you will NEVER have an issue with the wheels and they will look perfect for years.

Cheers,

Re: Brake dust
 

Thanks for the great info and great to have you on board here.

Re: Brake dust
 

I just got back from a long interstate trip and had brake dust ALL OVER my Q5, not just the wheels. That crap was on the sides of the body and little flecks of it were even on the back liftgate. How the hell did it get back there? Not only does it make the car look like crap, it also gets on your clothes if you don't stand back 2 feet and lean into the car.

Anyway, I'm sick of having to wash the damn thing almost everyday. Thinking of getting a KIA.

Oh yeah, the sun visors are way too small also.

Re: Brake dust
 

Well thats the most insightful post I've seen ever! It's like a Consumer Reports or Edmunds Inside Line special report.BGB your the Martha Stewart and Wayne Gretzky of this site. Thanks for logging in and giving us that insight for living.......wow right under my nose..........who'd thunk it the answer all along was Kia.

Re: Brake dust
 

I have a white Q5 , and everytime I wash it, I notice little black dots usually under the doors.
Some come off as I rub with the wash mit, some are harder to remove so I use my finger nails. They smudge, and they seem like some sort of tar.

Could this be brake dust residue? Anyone else notice them?

Re: Brake dust
 

-correction to my last post, little black dots not under the doors, but all over the lower part of all 4 doors. Sorry! Even seen some on the rear bumper..

Re: Brake dust
 

Hi Rocco: That does sound like break dust. Try waxing the car (I use Maguire wax from Canadian Tire) It really helps repel everything off the car. Another thing I am getting into the habit of doing is putting the car in neutral when I am behind a red light. This really helps with break dust and prolongs the life of the break.

Re: Brake dust
 

I've noticed my Q5 wheels get really dirty too. I clean them off with my daughter's huggies wipes.

Re: Brake dust
 

... wipes huh, good idea. :)

Re: Brake dust
 

Yeah the huggies wipes are really stong. They kept giving my daughter diaper rash so I figured they're strong enough to clean wheels.

Re: Brake dust
 

Why to put up with those cheap brake pads.
I had them on my wife's car and I would clean them with VIM on Mothers Day only as a gift. I find VIM as the only reasonable solution to the broblem.

Next time when you change the pads insist on the hard ones. They do not produce dust or there is little of it. I use Quick stops from Part R US or similar store. I am happpy with them, but they do not have the emergency stopping ability when cold.

When going at 220 and stopping to zero they get the blood from the back of my body to the front of the body and I had big eyes for 2 hours or so. I was funny looking and people would ask me whats happened.

Re: Brake dust
 

^^^^Adam you make me laugh !!!!!

I enjoy reading your posts.