Brake Dust - Revisited

[Dante]

Originally Posted by CMYSRT8

Well, I guess when I got the 8, I inherited a fine machine. But as with some inheritences, there may be a little debt to pay....I washed the car thoroughly today, putting on clay bar, then wax....really nice.....but when I came to the wheels, I was shocked!! The dust buildup is incredible!! And this after only 6 days of ownership!!

Awesome car, BTW.....I'm very lucky to have one....I plan to follow the advice of another thread, and put on a wax/dust repel coating of some kind...Canadian Tire carries some kind of rim coating spray...As a temporary solution, hopefully this will help the dust not stick so much...

Besides changing the pads/brakes, as I read in a thread, what do you guys plan to do, wash it out every week? If not, that stuff will build up terrible!!

Yeah, the brake dust is really bad. I'll be switching to ceramics at the first pad change. (Hmmm. That makes it sound like I'm a woman!!)

In the meantime, I'm just purchased a product called wheelwax. I haven't received it yet, but its supposed to be good at repelling the brake dust. You can reach them at www.wheelwax.com.

Dante!

[Bob McLean]

Hey Rambit,
I have to clean my wheels daily! They get blacker by the mile...I called Brembo & they do have harder pads for our cars.
Cheers,
Bob

[TomsSRT8]

Dave Zeckhausen,

First, thanks much for all the info you've given in this and other threads. It has been very helpful.

Second, has anyone ever gotten you tracings and measurements of SRT8 brake pads so you can try finding some that will create less dust? If not, and if you are still willing to do some research for us, I'd be glad to get you whatever info I can. I don't know how accurate the measurements need to be and I don't have any sophisticated measuring devices. But, I found a local Chrysler dealer with an OE SRT8 brake pad kit in stock ($175 for 8 pads, part #5174311AB). The parts manager will let me trace, measure and then return them. Let me know what you need.

I think most of us SRT8 owners would be willing to sacrifice some braking performance if it meant not having to clean the wheels after every drive.

Also, with 300 miles now on my car, I noticed the rotors are grooved pretty bad. Is it possible that this is normal wear? At this rate I'll be replacing the rotors anually. I'm looking for some input before I take the car to the dealer.

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by TomsSRT8

has anyone ever gotten you tracings and measurements of SRT8 brake pads so you can try finding some that will create less dust?

Dave's already had this done some time ago. He got someone to take their car into him for a tracing. At that time there was nothing aftermarket out there. It's a new pad design.

Rambit

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by TomsSRT8

Second, has anyone ever gotten you tracings and measurements of SRT8 brake pads so you can try finding some that will create less dust? If not, and if you are still willing to do some research for us, I'd be glad to get you whatever info I can. I don't know how accurate the measurements need to be and I don't have any sophisticated measuring devices. But, I found a local Chrysler dealer with an OE SRT8 brake pad kit in stock ($175 for 8 pads, part #5174311AB). The parts manager will let me trace, measure and then return them. Let me know what you need.

I think most of us SRT8 owners would be willing to sacrifice some braking performance if it meant not having to clean the wheels after every drive.

As part of the design of a new 6-piston, 380mm big brake kit for the SRT8, we had an SRT8 owner come in for measurements and then return a few weeks later for a test fit when the kit design was completed. At that time, the factory pads were pulled out and measured. As Rambit mentioned, the design is a new one that the FMSI has not yet listed and there are no aftermarket pads available yet, to my knowledge.

My customer, who paid StopTech for the engineering and design of this big brake kit, will benefit from the Hawk Performance Ceramic pads that come standard in the StopTech 6-piston calipers. But it's a heck of a price to pay for dust reduction! This car is going to be on display at the SEMA show and is in the process of having custom headers, custom paint, a supercharger, and carbon fiber wheels. We're going all out on this car, thus the upgraded brakes. It just happens that the end result will include virtually no brake dust and great rotor wear. Can't wait to try out those 8 pound, 20" carbon fiber wheels. That should improve the ride. I promise to post lots of photos as the project moves along.

Also, with 300 miles now on my car, I noticed the rotors are grooved pretty bad. Is it possible that this is normal wear? At this rate I'll be replacing the rotors anually. I'm looking for some input before I take the car to the dealer.

This is "typical" wear for the SRT8, but it's not "normal" wear for a street car. It seems that DCX picked an inappropriate pad compound for the kind of driving most SRT8s will be subjected to.

[TomsSRT8]

So I'm SOL. At least until someone steps up with a proper replacement pad. Thanks for the replies.

[300C_AWD]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

Can't wait to try out those 8 pound, 20" carbon fiber wheels.

OMG 8 pounds??? What is that 30 pounds less then stock? That's a 120 pound weight reduction and an insane amount of reduction in rotational mass and un-sprung weight..

Do you have any specs, price and pictures of those wheels?

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by 300C_AWD

OMG 8 pounds??? What is that 30 pounds less then stock? That's a 120 pound weight reduction and an insane amount of reduction in rotational mass and un-sprung weight..

Do you have any specs, price and pictures of those wheels?

Some more details on the car's progress follows:

It was picked up brand new from Reedman in Langhorne, PA a few weeks ago and delivered by flatbed to Kooks Custom Headers in Bayshore, Long Island. They are just finishing a complete custom header and exhaust system. Coincidentally, George Kook took delivery of his black SRT8 just days before our silver car arrived at his shop. Here's a shot of his crew:



Next, the car is being shipped to a hot rod shop in Texas, where it will meet up with the StopTech brakes and will be given a two-tone paint job and some very interesting body and interior work. Details of that are secret until the SEMA show the first week of November. While in Texas, the GS Motorsports supercharger kit will be bolted in. With the headers and exhaust from Kook's, the rear wheel horsepower should exceed GS Motorsports' advertised claim of 500 with stock exhaust by a decent amount.



Finally, the folks at AutoVelocity are trying to come up with a wheel design that fits the scheme of the SRT8. We've been examining CAD drawings and are inching toward a final design. Here's a shot of the carbon fiber barrel and a partial shot of the magnesium spokes of one design that's already been used on another platform:


The effect of reducing the wheel weight to a mere 8 pounds should be astonishing. If I like the final design enough, I'm probably going to spring for a set of these wheels for my 300C. If not, then I'm installing the stock SRT8 wheels left over from this project car. These carbon fiber wheels won't be cheap, but they're not crazy either. More details on pricing as we move forward. The design of the spokes for the SEMA project car will be exclusive with, at most, two sets being made. Other custom spoke designs will still be available, of course.

[Randazzle]

I notice brake dust if I drive dowm the street to pick up the mail!! It's horrible! SO what's the latest info on new pads vs. new brakes?

[baj764]

You know, I haven't noticed any brake dust on my wheels. I always have tons on my wife's current car, 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and her previous, 1988 MB 300E. I am actually happy with what I am seeing...at least so far. I am only up to about 2500 miles.