Ceramic Brake Dust?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
Ceramic Brake Dust?
I just installed Wearever Gold Premium Ceramic (Advance Auto) brake pads on my `06 Milan. The original pads had 91,000 miles on them and they were getting a bit thin. These new pads have greatly improved the braking ability but they are making a ton of black dust. I thought ceramic pads would reduce the amount of brake dust not increase the amount. Is it possible these new pads are just scraping residue off the rotors?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
I think "ceramic" has become a marketing term and if there is any ceramic in the compound thats what they call it. Black dust means graphite in the mix. I would take them back if it really bothers you, but you have to do the labor again. Chain places usually will give refunds for any reason within 30 days for "customer satisfaction" if you ask nice.
I put Satisfied Pro ceramic pads on the F-150 and Camry. They are low dusting. Braking improved on the F-150 from bad to adequate. Compared to the semi-metallic Toyota ones, the Camry stopped the same, but with less dust.
Jim
I put Satisfied Pro ceramic pads on the F-150 and Camry. They are low dusting. Braking improved on the F-150 from bad to adequate. Compared to the semi-metallic Toyota ones, the Camry stopped the same, but with less dust.
Jim
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
I just had brakes put on my '93 es300 (125,000 miles) and the shop used ceramic pads front/back and new rotors on the front.
That car's brakes SCREAM when coming to a stop.
Those brakes sound like a 1949 Chevrolet with those skinny drums. (Remember them!?!?!?!?)
I took the car back and told them that I couldn't stand that racket, and PLEASE do something about it!
The shop 'test drove' the car (they said 30 minutes) and they didn't hear anything.
I got the car back and before I could get home (10 minute drive) that car was sounding like a '49 Chevy, again!
I took the car right back and walked in, and said to the service writer, "Let's go for a ride, o.k.?"
The service writer got in the passenger seat, and I drove.
I pulled out of the parking lot and pressed the brakes.
Sccccccccccrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeech!
He heard the noise, then!!!!!!!
The next day, they replaced the pads with another set.
Quiet as can be. I guess that set of ceramic pads were defective!?!?!?
That car's brakes SCREAM when coming to a stop.
Those brakes sound like a 1949 Chevrolet with those skinny drums. (Remember them!?!?!?!?)
I took the car back and told them that I couldn't stand that racket, and PLEASE do something about it!
The shop 'test drove' the car (they said 30 minutes) and they didn't hear anything.
I got the car back and before I could get home (10 minute drive) that car was sounding like a '49 Chevy, again!
I took the car right back and walked in, and said to the service writer, "Let's go for a ride, o.k.?"
The service writer got in the passenger seat, and I drove.
I pulled out of the parking lot and pressed the brakes.
Sccccccccccrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeech!
He heard the noise, then!!!!!!!
The next day, they replaced the pads with another set.
Quiet as can be. I guess that set of ceramic pads were defective!?!?!?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Noise is usually vibration of the pads in the caliper. The original set either had missing shims or lacked the insulating coating on the back, or maybe a slight coating of rust from being old stock. I always use a thin coating of brake grease on the slides and back.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> No, they weren't warped
They had to be grooved if they were not turned, even if they did not seem it to you, after running another set of pads. The excessive dust is from both the pad and rotor wearing into each other. A used rotor should have been turned and cross hatched for ceramic pads, imho.
The black might be metal dust and not pad dust.
They had to be grooved if they were not turned, even if they did not seem it to you, after running another set of pads. The excessive dust is from both the pad and rotor wearing into each other. A used rotor should have been turned and cross hatched for ceramic pads, imho.
The black might be metal dust and not pad dust.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
I never turn rotors and have never had such a problem. Turning rotors makes them thinner, more likely to warp. I replace them if bad, and just sandpaper scuff and clean with a dry rag if not. Break in or "bedding in" of the pads actually goes a lot quicker with a seasoned rotor surface than fresh bare iron.
Jim
Jim
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,388
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From: Saratoga, NY
I have found that a smoother finish on the rotors rather than a cross hatched (or whatever you want to call it) does speed up the process of bedding in, at least with ceramic pads. The amount of salt used up here destroys rotors. I rarely ever machine and reuse them. the boss wont let me anyway because if they come back with a warped rotor issue he has to eat the cost of labor to replace the rotors. some people are just hard on brakes especially in the mountains.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,009
Likes: 1,517
From: Maine, Virginia
I bought AZ's top of the line brand brake pads 2 years ago, never turned the rotors and have never had so little brake dust. The truck stops well an d I don't have to wash it just because the wheels are dirty.
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