03+ - Brake Dust Update
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 746
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From: Salisbury, MD
Brake Dust Update
I use a brush from AutoZone. It's about an inch in diameter and 8 inches long. Works great with simple green.
Oasis is Ford's database. It's where info about your truck, repairs, and other such data is stored.
Oasis is Ford's database. It's where info about your truck, repairs, and other such data is stored.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
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From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Brake Dust Update
The trick to cleaning the brake dust is doing it often. Just about any cleaner will work if you don't give the brake dust a chance to set. My dad neglected his for quite some time (or should I say I neglected it as I know he never cleans it beyond going to a car wash). It took me about an hour a wheel, combined with every cleaning solution, brush, scour pad, pressure washer, etc. I had in my arsenal to get the wheels back to a clean state. The pressure washer put out enough force to rip the paint off his license plates, but couldn't cut through the grime that set on his wheels. Had to use some heavy duty cleaner & a scouring pad in the end. I was afraid to apply naval jelly because these rims are an aluminum alloy... if I had to do it all over again, I would use it though.
Now I clean his wheels from time to time with ordinary rim/wheel cleaner and a brush or two. Doesn't take much effort at all if I keep up with it. Even if I don't have the time/inclination to wash the rest of the truck, I make sure his wheels get 15 minutes of my time.
Now I clean his wheels from time to time with ordinary rim/wheel cleaner and a brush or two. Doesn't take much effort at all if I keep up with it. Even if I don't have the time/inclination to wash the rest of the truck, I make sure his wheels get 15 minutes of my time.
Last edited by haroutd; Sep 12, 2003 at 12:08 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 186
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From: Detroit
Brake Dust Update
All cars have break dust to content with. I see them all the time where people only use the car wash and the front rims are black.
Our issue here is the excessive amount of dust on the brand new 03 expy.
BTW - Mine has 1200 kms on it now and it does not seem to be as bad. Anyonne else see this?
Our issue here is the excessive amount of dust on the brand new 03 expy.
BTW - Mine has 1200 kms on it now and it does not seem to be as bad. Anyonne else see this?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
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From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Brake Dust Update
Originally posted by nickalbu
Our issue here is the excessive amount of dust on the brand new 03 expy.
Our issue here is the excessive amount of dust on the brand new 03 expy.
Originally posted by nickalbu
BTW - Mine has 1200 kms on it now and it does not seem to be as bad. Anyonne else see this?
BTW - Mine has 1200 kms on it now and it does not seem to be as bad. Anyonne else see this?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 186
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From: Detroit
Brake Dust Update
Mybe I'm getting used to it.
Definatly clean them often. I love the fact that those aluminum rims are called "Bright" in the option package, but they are black by the time you get them home.
Definatly clean them often. I love the fact that those aluminum rims are called "Bright" in the option package, but they are black by the time you get them home.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Brake Dust Update
A good way to handle the brake dust problems would be to move to Hawaii, buy a pressure washer and wash them everyday....like me. 
(Moving to Hawaii allows you to wash them everyday for all you folks who live in the cold areas of the world.
)
(Moving to Hawaii allows you to wash them everyday for all you folks who live in the cold areas of the world.
)
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 79
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Monsta,
I like your idea about moving to hawaii, but that would make the a/c problems with this vehicle completely unbearable!
I used the maguires wheel cleaner (pinkish colored spray) and a wheel detail brush. Took about 10 minutes per wheel, but this was the first cleaning like that (1800 miles). I cleaned the entire wheel and rim (I guess that is what it is called-the inside face about 8 inches wide that the brakes grip??). All I can say is they look like they did before the tire was put on. Hopefully with regular maintenance, they won't be that much work next time. Funny thing - the wheel cleaner said "do not spray on any part of the brake mechanism." Kind of impossible to do...I guess if you took the wheel off, you could do it. Hopefully the wife and kid will have brakes when they head out next time!!
I like your idea about moving to hawaii, but that would make the a/c problems with this vehicle completely unbearable!
I used the maguires wheel cleaner (pinkish colored spray) and a wheel detail brush. Took about 10 minutes per wheel, but this was the first cleaning like that (1800 miles). I cleaned the entire wheel and rim (I guess that is what it is called-the inside face about 8 inches wide that the brakes grip??). All I can say is they look like they did before the tire was put on. Hopefully with regular maintenance, they won't be that much work next time. Funny thing - the wheel cleaner said "do not spray on any part of the brake mechanism." Kind of impossible to do...I guess if you took the wheel off, you could do it. Hopefully the wife and kid will have brakes when they head out next time!!
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 746
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From: Salisbury, MD
I'm going to be going in to my Ford dealer beginning October 1 and asking for the update on this issue, then returning every week for updates until they have my new pads. I may even call down the road to my purchasing dealer for an update too.
Maybe if a lot of people do this the dealers will start asking questions of Ford, and we would get them faster, or maybe not.
Maybe if a lot of people do this the dealers will start asking questions of Ford, and we would get them faster, or maybe not.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Originally posted by mechdeclined
Monsta,
I like your idea about moving to hawaii, but that would make the a/c problems with this vehicle completely unbearable!
Monsta,
I like your idea about moving to hawaii, but that would make the a/c problems with this vehicle completely unbearable!
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 79
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Daveplot
I agree with your frustration, but it does seem that the new pads should be available late in the 4th quarter. I would save your fight for another battle, as I am sure that this board will herald the arrival of the new pads. Your time is more valuable than to waste it going to the dealer. I, for one, will post as soon as I know they are here, and am sure others are watching for them as well.
I agree with your frustration, but it does seem that the new pads should be available late in the 4th quarter. I would save your fight for another battle, as I am sure that this board will herald the arrival of the new pads. Your time is more valuable than to waste it going to the dealer. I, for one, will post as soon as I know they are here, and am sure others are watching for them as well.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 689
Likes: 1
From: VA
What is so special about the 03 Expy? All disc brakes on all cars make the front wheels dirty. I get darker front wheels all the time. They might as well replace all our pads. It's hard to believe that this is a revelation warranting a service bulletin, unless something has been left out here. I even bought expensive "lower dusting" ceramic-based pads and they got dirty anyway. I don't believe there is a cure.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 87
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From: Monroe, WA
2000Expy, you truely haxe to experience this brake dust to beleave it. It stains everything it touches, running boards, driveways, wash mitts, and clothes. A Winston Cup car at Martinsville MAY produce more brake dust in 500 miles.