View Full Version : stock brake pads and dusting
BigD SS
05-18-2006, 01:13 PM
Is it just me, or does everyone else think the stock pads dust way too much.:undecided
If I go one week without washing the rims, there is a noticeable amount of dusting. On my 03 Envoy, which had ceramic pads, there was basically no dusting at all.
Are there any aftermarket pads out for our trucks yet. Maybe some type of ceramic so the dusting isn't as bad.
So, what do you guys think????
whyte06ss
05-18-2006, 01:29 PM
I feel the same way and it is a task trying to clean them!
dntnvme
05-18-2006, 01:35 PM
I never noticed since I wash mine weekly anyway.
Not for us non-SS owners, I've always thought mine don't dust as much as other vehicles I've owned.......must be the performance 'Corvette' type brake pads. Just curious, are the vette pads on the SS also ceramic or are they metalic? - Might explain the dusting.
whyte06ss
05-18-2006, 01:43 PM
I never noticed since I wash mine weekly anyway.
I wash mine weekly also and I baby my car most of the time with no heavy braking
blautens
05-18-2006, 01:59 PM
Several things come to mind here...
1) Ceramic pads do offer less dust. But sometimes they can be hard on a rotor, and can be a bit noisier, too. Not always, though.
2) Some manufacturers offer NOTORIOUSLY "dusty" pads. Ever looked at any Ford with OEM pads? 3 days and that wheel is black. I mean BLACK.
3) I want performance first, longevity second, noise and dust is a third consideration.
I think these are pretty good overall (especially for OEM!) - I like the performance - they're perfectly quiet, and although it's too early to tell how they'll treat the rotors, since I haven't seen many people complaining of normal Trailvoy rotor problems, I don't think it will be much of an issue on the SS (unlike the wickedly poor rotors on GM N body/GMX130 platforms - which warped when the sun came out, let alone a little heat from the pads).
Yes, they produce a little more dust than the ceramic pads on my RX330, but as was mentioned before, you KNOW you'll be out there washing it every week anyway...:yes:
2002SLT
05-18-2006, 02:12 PM
I never noticed since I wash mine weekly anyway.
Weekly? :eek: How can you let it go that long without a wash? I think my longest wait was 4 days, and 2 of those days I didn't drive it. My neighbors think I'm nuts, though. :crazy:
Back on topic... I have noticed much more brake dust with the SS than my old Envoy. However, I don't think they're anywhere near as bad as BMW's and Audi's. They are notorious for that.
BLK60SS
05-18-2006, 03:01 PM
Yeah I can live with it but they are a little dusty. I wash once a week but if it rains during that time the dust just cakes on. I can't wait to change these pads.
Envoy Fan
05-18-2006, 03:17 PM
I never noticed since I wash mine weekly anyway.
Envoy has different pads from the TB SS.
NORCAL SS
05-18-2006, 05:36 PM
humm dont know but my ssbc 14.1 front/rear kit is coming hopefully i can sell the stock tbss front calipers and rotors and also the rears
BigD SS
05-19-2006, 09:45 AM
A few years ago, I would be washing my TBSS at least once a week and detailing it as well, but now, I don't have the time anymore; 2 kids (and my youngest is only 1 month old), career, and two other cars that need to be cleaned as well.
I remember a few years ago spending 8 hours every Saturday washing / detailing my cars. Those days are gone for me.
Anyways, as soon as there are some aftermarket pads, I will be changing the pads.
Essque
05-19-2006, 11:22 AM
yeah the dusting is bad but it's not like this isn't an issue with any other car on the planet. It's a constant battle even with aftermarket pads in my experience. I wash the truck at least 2 times a week because i can't stand dirty rims plus mine is black.
blktbon20s
05-19-2006, 11:25 AM
i got the ceramic pads(i think) and i hardly get any brake dust!
BLK60SS
05-19-2006, 11:25 AM
A few years ago, I would be washing my TBSS at least once a week and detailing it as well, but now, I don't have the time anymore; 2 kids (and my youngest is only 1 month old), career, and two other cars that need to be cleaned as well.
I remember a few years ago spending 8 hours every Saturday washing / detailing my cars. Those days are gone for me.
Anyways, as soon as there are some aftermarket pads, I will be changing the pads.
A few years ago....:confused:
blktbon20s
05-19-2006, 11:26 AM
A few years ago....:confused:
:confused: huh? TBSS just came out. not a "few yrs" ago?
or did u mean w/ ur pervious cars?
Jonzoso
05-19-2006, 12:48 PM
I think he means previous cars.
Funny, just watched the TBSS edition of Motorweek last night on my ReplayTV (like Tivo) and Pat Goss was addressing this very problem. He strongly urged that metalic brake dust be taken off regulary to prevent etching and corrosion....he then went on to tout the advantages of ceramic pads. His view is that the ceramic pads in addition to giving better fade-resistant stops give off less dust, has lighter less noticeable dust and that ceramic dust doesn't etch in or corrode the wheels.
Btw: Their testers managed 14.3 @ 97mph at the track and achieved all of 13mpg in their mileage loop with a fully loaded AWD TBSS LT.
blktbon20s
05-19-2006, 02:27 PM
Funny, just watched the TBSS edition of Motorweek last night on my ReplayTV (like Tivo) and Pat Goss was addressing this very problem. He strongly urged that metalic brake dust be taken off regulary to prevent etching and corrosion....he then went on to tout the advantages of ceramic pads. His view is that the ceramic pads in addition to giving better fade-resistant stops give off less dust, has lighter less noticeable dust and that ceramic dust doesn't etch in or corrode the wheels.
Btw: Their testers managed 14.3 @ 97mph at the track and achieved all of 13mpg in their mileage loop with a fully loaded AWD TBSS LT.
Yep my wheels hardly ever gets to see brake dust. Due to both me washing it weekly and from havin the ceramic pads
BigD SS
05-19-2006, 03:31 PM
What I meant by a few years ago, is exactly that. If I had the TBSS back then, I would have had the time to wash it once or twice a week. I was just trying to make the point that I just don't have the time now to wash and detail every week. And with the stock pads, you have to wash it once a week for the rims to look good.
So, ceramic pads will definitely be something I will do.
vetruck
05-28-2006, 11:41 PM
Mine are about as bad as my 05 Mustang was but I still have the 1.5 hrs. every 4-5 days to clean it up good, not it makes much difference on the wheels because they look terrible anyway. Mine are have so many small scratches, foggy areas etc. it's irritating to look at them from less than 5 feet away. I need some chrome soon :)
Excessive Yaw
05-30-2006, 10:00 PM
Several things come to mind here...
1) Ceramic pads do offer less dust. But sometimes they can be hard on a rotor, and can be a bit noisier, too. Not always, though.
2) Some manufacturers offer NOTORIOUSLY "dusty" pads. Ever looked at any Ford with OEM pads? 3 days and that wheel is black. I mean BLACK.
3) I want performance first, longevity second, noise and dust is a third consideration.
I think these are pretty good overall (especially for OEM!) - I like the performance - they're perfectly quiet, and although it's too early to tell how they'll treat the rotors, since I haven't seen many people complaining of normal Trailvoy rotor problems, I don't think it will be much of an issue on the SS (unlike the wickedly poor rotors on GM N body/GMX130 platforms - which warped when the sun came out, let alone a little heat from the pads).
Yes, they produce a little more dust than the ceramic pads on my RX330, but as was mentioned before, you KNOW you'll be out there washing it every week anyway...:yes:
I agree with Bruce's statements. The TBSS is running the Corvette Z51 brake pad. This is a very good pad for output, thermal performance, pedal feel and thickness variation. Dusting is a secondary concern with this pad. Remember this is a performance vehicle not an Envoy or base Trailblazer.
Also, don't forget the SS get's a specific front performance rotor.
Good Luck
1BADSS
05-30-2006, 11:40 PM
They get dusty bit they work good.. Does anybody have brake chatter? Mine chirp when it's rolling or hitting bumps,if I touch the brake it stops.
Envoy Fan
05-31-2006, 12:19 AM
They get dusty bit they work good.. Does anybody have brake chatter? Mine chirp when it's rolling or hitting bumps,if I touch the brake it stops.
Could be the ABS ?
1BADSS
05-31-2006, 07:46 AM
Could be the ABS ?
No..It sounds like when you have change in your pocket while running.lol I think it's the pads doing a little floating.
Envoy Fan
05-31-2006, 10:37 AM
No..It sounds like when you have change in your pocket while running.lol I think it's the pads doing a little floating.
Is it physically possible for the pads to float?:undecided
1BADSS
05-31-2006, 10:47 AM
Is it physically possible for the pads to float?:undecided
I think so.:undecided
Silver06SS
06-01-2006, 04:51 PM
No..It sounds like when you have change in your pocket while running.lol I think it's the pads doing a little floating.
I had a sound coming from the front right wheel that sounded something like that. I narrowed it down to a rock that somehow got caught on top of the rotor in the caliper area and would make that noise at very low speed, but go away at a faster pace. It's totally gone now that the rock is gone.