F150 front break dust issue

Looking for suggestions on how to resolve the issue I’m having with break dust caking to my front wheels. I’ve been told by the service manager at Morries there is nothing I can do but put on $450.00 pads. That may or may not solve the problem he says.

Here is my question. I see this on almost every F150. Different types of rims/wheels. So, is it a rotor issue or pad issue?? Combination? I’m really unhappy with the resonse I’ve gotten from Ford so far. My rims have started to pit. Overall, quite disappointed a 2008 truck looks so shoddy.

Buy a Chevy… Sorry had to do it.

Never had issues with mine despite driving 60 miles round trip per day to/from Rogers to Edina in the herky jerk. I would say go with a different brake pad or rotor but not those $400 kind. I am still on the same pads that came on the truck 80k miles ago. I hope I can find the same brand that were on there originally.

Was reading a forum about this last winter and so far the best solution is also pricey. Better pads was the best answer, but several suggested waxing the rims to help keep the brake dust from collecting too much.
My wife’s 99 does it, and my 95 does somewhat. I just don’t worry it about since they are so old now.
I can see your dissapointment in a newer truck tho.
Just for hits and jiggles, take an air hose and blow the crap out of your brakes sometime. Amazing all the dust that comes out.

It is pad dust. Only real answer is a ceramic pad. That or get an agressive wheel cleaner (acid) and hit them once a month. I hadn’t done the wifes Durango wheels in about a year, the fronts were terrible… in 5 minutes, a little acid and a quick rinse, they look brand new

big G

Mine does that same thing. It is a pain in but I spray them off with the hose and wipe once a week.

Factory pads do produce more brake dust dust,but What I have discovered is the driver waits to long to stop(hard on brakes)slowing doing sooner results in using less brake to stop and less dust produced.

In most cases a good quality middle grade pad results in less dust if driver is braking properly.

Another suggestion would be to make sure your rear shoes/pads are in good shape and they are set up properly, wore out rears will result in the fronts doing most the braking and also causing more dust issues.

Using the high dollar pads shoes for the average person is not needed UNLESS they are pulling heavy loads and need the extra braking power.

JMHO Jeff

I’d love to do more gentle braking, however driving 65 miles a day in Minneapolis doesn’t always allow for it.

I’ll have the rear breaks checked out. I’m going to get some new ceramic pads this weekend and throw them on. I’m also looking into a dust cover called Kleen Wheels. For $35.00 it’s worth a try to me. Looks like a good weekend to spend scrubbing the wheels as long as I’ve got them off.

I put ceramic pads on my F-150 twice and experienced really short pad life. Turns out they were warping the rotors because they produce more heat. If you’re going to install ceramic pads, consider going with a new set of vented rotors to help prevent warping. I didn’t, and I was shuddering to a stop after maybe 10,000 miles.

I will bring my F-150 over and we can call it a party

I’ve got some Molson that needs drank….

So is this a reddish dust on the front wheels?

I just got a newer (2005) F150 last month and noticed it.

I put the ceramics on my Dodge and had to take’m back off. Turns out they were too hard and wouldn’t grab. I got a real bad case of pucker marks trying to stop my dually with a 5th wheel and boat behind. Luckily the pads were lifetime warranty and I traded for the next one softer. jerr

I’m deciding I’m not a real big fan of the ceramics. Put’m on my car and now the rotors are warped. Next oil change I gotta turn’m or replace, which ever is cheaper

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I’d love to do more gentle braking, however driving 65 miles a day in Minneapolis doesn’t always allow for it.

I’ll have the rear breaks checked out. I’m going to get some new ceramic pads this weekend and throw them on. I’m also looking into a dust cover called Kleen Wheels. For $35.00 it’s worth a try to me. Looks like a good weekend to spend scrubbing the wheels as long as I’ve got them off.

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I have the clean wheels dust covers on mine and they work like a charm. No more break dust at all. There is a down side though… I think they look like I want to take them off and get new pads.

My dust is jet black. But I’m sure it’s the same issue Kraig. I’ve noticed this on most all F150’s out there.

What makes me mad is the fact the service manager says there is no known cause OR fix available. It’s just something I have to live with as an F150 owner. I’m done giving Morries any business as soon as they get my other issue resolved.

Follow something like the Smith system of driving and you won’t need them brakes as often, plus driving will be more enjoyable, keep 3 to 4 seconds between you and the person in front of you…it does work.

Fords aren’t the only ones that do it, just seems to be more noticible, we have a DIY car wash close to us and on Tuesdays they have 1/2 price day, hit them with the sprayer and most comes off.

Going to a better pad next time will help, least it did for me, but I’m thinking if your not wearing the pad out, you probably are wearing the rotor out, somethings going to wear I’d think.

Al

No offense, but keeping 3 to 4 seconds between cars while I’m driving is virtually impossible on I94. I do keep a safe gap, however, it just keeps filling in and I keep shuffling back, causing more traffic jams. I’m firm believer Minnesotans are not taught how to drive growing up.

Every vehicle does it to some extent. Just look at the front wheels on cars next time your out driving. One of my pet peeves is to keep the front wheels clean. My GM pickup puts out very little dust. My wife’s jeep however has the dirtiest brakes I have ever owned.

Jeep GC brakes are a whole ‘nother story (more like a book) Morries is giving the age old answer….nothing we can do…. bull. There is always something…. ceramic are your best bet. Ever since they got rid of asbestos, brake dust/noise/premature wear…..are all issues that the older cars did not have. I guess I will take cleaning the dust, than the alternative… There is something to be said for vented rotors also… they do re-direct alot of the dust through the rotor and away from your chrome rim

big G

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No offense, but keeping 3 to 4 seconds between cars while I’m driving is virtually impossible on I94. I do keep a safe gap, however, it just keeps filling in and I keep shuffling back, causing more traffic jams. I’m firm believer Minnesotans are not taught how to drive growing up.

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Wanna bet?
Our company drivers do it all the time, biggest problem is not getting PO’d when people pull into your space, just slow down and relax.

Al

I will definitely bet you Minnesotans don’t know how to drive….Oh wait, that wasn’t the bet.

Kooty I always bought a Off Road package on my trucks and never had an issue. Always saw other trucks that did and was glad. My 2008 is not and I’m having the same issue with the dust forming. I’m guessing it is the pads.

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Buy a Chevy…

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Yeah cause then you only have to replace the Tranny @ 75,000

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Buy a Chevy…

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Yeah cause then you only have to replace the Tranny @ 75,000

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Wrong……you need to replace it at 58,325 miles. Guess how I know?

Sorry to hear it Timmy!

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Buy a Chevy…

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Yeah cause then you only have to replace the Tranny @ 75,000

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But the truck looks great with no brake dust sitting in the driveway

Ok then buy a Dodge. 1997 Ram, 180,000 hard miles and my rims look just like they did 13 years ago, and the same transmission.

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Buy a Chevy…

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Yeah cause then you only have to replace the Tranny @ 75,000

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I have 90,000 and still going strong!!!!!

Sounds crazy but Midas solved the problem for me. Did spend a little extra and the pads are ceramic but I’ve been driving them for 6 months now with no dust and no other issues. I was ready to switch to black rims so I wouldn’t see the dust.

I bought $80 ceramic pads for mine 3 years ago and haven’t had an issue since. I believe I bought them at Checker Auto? I get a little dust after about 2 tanks of fuel but the truck needs a bath by then anyways. These are full ceramic and not a blend which makes a difference in dust. No warpping at all. Put ceramic on the back as well.

Kooty every ford I have owned has had that issue from cars, vans, and pick-ups.