Brake Dust
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 38
From: LA = Louisiana
You can read about Ford factory pad brake dust complaints at nauseam in F-150 forums. It has been complained about and discussed for years.
Someone above asked about a part # for ceramics?? There is no part number........ just go to O'Reillys and ask for Wagner Thermo Quiet Ceramics. Even Thermo Quiet semi-metallics have much less noticeable dust than Ford pads. Thermo Quiets are simply the ones that seemed to be recommended the most from my reading. There are many other good brands and options like the EBC pads mentioned above.
Someone above mentioned something about noise from ceramics??? I've been running them for about 135,000 miles and I have never noticed any noise and never recall reading where other ceramic users mentioning it.
I have read where some people (those familiar with Ford brake pads and the dust issue) change their pads and put on ceramics ASAP after driving off the lot.
Many people just could care less about the brake dust. Just start observing all the brown front wheels on Ford trucks. Either they don't care or don't know how to correct it.
Someone above asked about a part # for ceramics?? There is no part number........ just go to O'Reillys and ask for Wagner Thermo Quiet Ceramics. Even Thermo Quiet semi-metallics have much less noticeable dust than Ford pads. Thermo Quiets are simply the ones that seemed to be recommended the most from my reading. There are many other good brands and options like the EBC pads mentioned above.
Someone above mentioned something about noise from ceramics??? I've been running them for about 135,000 miles and I have never noticed any noise and never recall reading where other ceramic users mentioning it.
I have read where some people (those familiar with Ford brake pads and the dust issue) change their pads and put on ceramics ASAP after driving off the lot.
Many people just could care less about the brake dust. Just start observing all the brown front wheels on Ford trucks. Either they don't care or don't know how to correct it.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 391
Likes: 3
I would be particular about getting away from OEM pads this quick. Note that the pads were designed in conjunction with the rotor and other brake components. I know Ford had a issue for with crappy rotors (prone to warp) for years, but I have not seen that on the last 2-3 I have owned.
Switching to a "harder" pad may alleviate the dust, but it may bring up other issues down the road, including premature rotor failure. Think of pads like a sacrificial anode; they are designed to be the weakest link.
Brake dust is a PITA and on my sports car it is not an issue due to the factory carbon ceramic brakes. (The brake job is gonna be $$$$$ though)
You may pick up a bit of squeal with the new pads, but a few aggressive stops will generally take care of that especially first thing in the morning.
I don't believe just changing pads will affect stopping distance in any meaningful way.
Switching to a "harder" pad may alleviate the dust, but it may bring up other issues down the road, including premature rotor failure. Think of pads like a sacrificial anode; they are designed to be the weakest link.
Brake dust is a PITA and on my sports car it is not an issue due to the factory carbon ceramic brakes. (The brake job is gonna be $$$$$ though)
You may pick up a bit of squeal with the new pads, but a few aggressive stops will generally take care of that especially first thing in the morning.
I don't believe just changing pads will affect stopping distance in any meaningful way.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 3
The dust is really bad I have to do something. If I have to change rotors down the road with pads as long as I get some life it will be worth it. If you happen to touch the paint your hand will have brake dust all over it. I don't put my hands on the paint but this is just to much to deal with. Ford has nothing to say about the matter they got there money already so I am left to deal with it. Thanks for the info JasonB1
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 741
Likes: 2
From: IA/GA/HI/FL/VA/CA/ME
Comments about the excellent stopping power of the OEM pads have me confused. I don’t think these brakes stop well at all. I just came from a 13 F150 that has crap rotors which led me to change pads & rotors to Powerstop tow series. That truck had outstanding stopping power. I know the F250 is A LOT heavier of a truck but it doesn’t stop anywhere near as well as the 150 did with factory brakes. I actually thought there was an issue with the brakes the first time I drove it. I’ll be upgrading everything soon. Pads & rotors. Pads because they are too soft and have WAY too much dust and rotors because Ford rotors are bound to warp. I never had any noise from ceramic pads. You could easily swap just pads and see better braking and minimal dust.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 236
Likes: 4
My last truck was a 2016 Ram 2500 megacab diesel 4x4 that had very little brake dust and no smell at all. This truck breaks much better than the Ram with much less effort on the pedal but dust city and smells. The smell seems like brake burn but could be something else not really sure I'm no mechanic. Seems like there is a sacrifice to having better breaking or else forfeit some breaking power to have less dust and smell??? don't know ???
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 65
Likes: 3
i have a 17 f-250. so the brakes drag when the cruise is on to hold speed? it's exactly what i was trying to avoid. i use the exhaust brake all the time trying to make the brakes last longer, etc. but i too still see alot of brake dust and occassionally it smells a little hot. haven't been able to pinpoint the conditions the smell comes from.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: azle texas
I live right off the highway so after pulling in I noticed my brakes were smelling very hot. I went around and touched all the rotors. They were not to hot to touch just warm. I haven't read or heard about anyone else having trouble with the dust until now but I am glad I am not the only one. Is it okay to run with the engine brake on? I know the emission system can cause moisture build up. Would running the engine brake system speed up the moisture production?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 279
Likes: 3
From: Lincoln, RI
While a bit pricey, I found the brake dust on my Challenger to be cut in half when I installed caliper covers. https://www.calipercovers.com/vehiclesearch/result/index/year/45/make/3/model/15/submodel