Brake Dust on Front Wheels
 

Does anyone know how to minimize the brake dust that accumulates primarily on the front wheels? If minimizing the brake dust is not an option, how do you clean your wheels without having to wipe it down on a daily basis? If aftermarket brake pads are recommended, do you have any suggestions ... w/o losing performance?

Itching to try Mintex pads...
 

when my current/original set needs replacement. They are supposed to be low-dust. There may be posts on the Roadfly site that offer performance reviews. I ride on chrome 20" wheels (aftermarket) in the spring/summer/fall and "have" to clean them with a QD almost daily.

Smiley
'03 X5 3.0 -- Steel Grey

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/arc...p/t-39548.html

Hawk High Performance Street Pads for Stock Brakes

F-$98

R-$78

http://www.zeckhausen.com/BMW/X5.htm

no matter what what dustless pad you get you will more than likely get some sqeal just to warn you.

I've been running the Mintex Red Box pads for the past 50K miles. Over 90% reduction in brake dust, no squeal issues, and excellent braking performance.

I'll be changing over to Axxis Deluxe pads later this year and will give a review on the differences.

True for lots of dustless pads. The OEM pads use graphite to stop squeal, hence the black dust.

Axxis/PBR/Repco/Metalmaster, same pad with different names in different countries, used to use copper in the pad for the same reason. I never had squeal issues installing these for years in other cars. I am trying to wear out my current X5 pads prior to changing them out for PBR/Repco. Lots of good reports on the Axxis-branded pads in the US, and they appear to have the original PBR ingredients, with a variety of formulations depending on application.

I do get the extremely occasional squealing (when wet) with the Axxis deluxe pads but the reduction in brake dust more than makes up for it.

What does installing aftermarket pads do to my warranty?

And just to confirm, it's a fairly straightforward DIY job for a complete noobie like me, right? :D

Thanks guys! This thread has been most helpful...I'm so glad I found this forum...what would I do without it. I ended up getting the iPod Mini after reading posts on this forum...did the install myself with the help from the instructions that were posted here.

Your warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. Possible failures of non-related components shouldn't be linked in any way to changing brake pads. Having said that, if it is the replacement pads or the service work that causes the failure (ie premature rotor wear, or a wheel falling off later, just as examples), then that would have an impact. Not that Axxis pads should cause any issue at all, but you get my drift. You have to imagine some of the warranty claims dealers see. At the end of the day, manufacturers can't void warranties, but they also won't stand behind a product or service that they didn't sell. The interesting conversations are when they think your work caused a subsequent failure, and you don't agree.

"A straightforward job" is how I would describe it, not technically challenging, but your noobie comment causes me to caution that we are talking about the braking system here, not the stereo. If you haven't done mechanical work previously, or if you don't have the right tools and jack/jack stands/etc, working with someone who has isn't a bad idea at all. There are lots of instructions/manuals out there as well. Good luck.

Jeff