Brake Pad Dust Storm (Newbie)?
 

I've clocked about 1700 miles on my new Box and from day one it's been spewing brake pad dust all over my spiffy S-wheels and the sides of the vehicle as well.

Does this every abate or is this standard operating procedure? Do the ceramic pads run any cleaner?

Dusty on LI

Tre_oh, sorry...but get used to it!

PCCB is an approx. $9,000 option, so that can afford you a lot of cleaning supplies.

I suggest a good quality wheel cleaner, and then apply 2-3 good coats of Rejex wax. This will help the future brake dust wash off more easily. But remember, every time you use the wheel cleaner, you are removing (most of or all) your wax coating.

One of the main reasons I selected the Porsche Carrera Classics 19" wheels was because I thought they would de the easier wheels to clean because they are more open and assessable for my larger sized hands.

Nope it's a Porsche feature!!

I always change my pads as soon as possible. I like Mintex red box pads for street use.

Ditto on the Red Box. :cheers:

It's my understanding that ceramic pads will dust just as much, but due to the fact that it's lighter in color, it's harder to notice it accumulating.

Hi,

+2 on the Mintex Reds, good pads. Also like the Porterfield R4S pads for street use. Good pads, minimum dusting, spendy though. I run these on my Esprit with great results...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Yeah, brake dust is abundant with the stock pads buts it's no big deal if you don't mind cleaning the wheels every week or two. I just apply some detailing spray to a soft rag and wipe then down every so often and it keeps them like new between washings.

Jim, do you have a link to an etailer who stocks either Mintex Reds or R4S's??

you will often get allot of brake dust in the bedding stage of new brake pads. I guess it varies depending on the pad itself. 1700 miles is somewhat irrelevant becasue if these are mostly highway miles vs street its a little misleading.
I wouldn't go changing those pads just yet. I'm sure the Porsche dudes picked a good set after extensive testing and looking at the data logger.
I would suggest using the brakes alot MORE if you are mostly highway traveling.

As far as the dust. Its a pain but clean the wheels as often as you can year round.
The brake dust is bad for you paint both on the wheel face and on the fender and door. Use pressure from a hose to rinse out the wheel wells and maybe spray or scrub in there too. Try using a quality wheel cleaner like P21s on the barrell of the wheel with a wheel brush. Don't spend too much time coating the wheel because you'll have to strip the wheel bare to dislodge the brake dust which can "bake on" during the hot months sitting in the sun.
I personally use a strong polish after washing like Werkstatt Prime Strong or Klasse All in One. Then I use a teflon like spray called Fk 425 or FK 146. In between washes I use the 146 or 425 to keep the wheel and glass clean. First spray the wheel face and then wipe off.
Make sure your rotors are air temp before washing.

Hi,

Here you go: Porterfield R4S Pads - http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/price/Porsche/Boxster/Porterfield/Brakes/Brake_Pads for the Mintex Red Box - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_Search.cgi?please_wait=N&forumid=&threadid=&FI LTER_996M=ON&command=DWsearch&command=DWsearch&REF INE=Y&FORUM_REFER=&description=Mintex+Red+Box&FILT ER_996M2=ON&description=Mintex+Red+Box&x=41&y=11&F ILTER_996M=11&FILTER_996M2=11

One note, several people have complained about excessive squeal from the Mintex pads. I hadn't noticed it, but did on a friend's Boxster. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Thanks, Jim!

oh man get used to it! I believe we have the same rims! They are a pain in the butt to keep clean......I too will be switching to carrera classics but maybe the replicas....

Ditto on the porterfields. I bought those for my BMW and they are pretty sweet. They still dust, just not as much. I think I bought mine from myroadster.net. Came with syntheitic brake anti squeel lube, sandpaper, brush, and brake disk cleaner free with the pads. They dont have the boxster on their site, just Z3's, slk's, miatas, and maybe something else. You can still buy the boxster brakes from them though.

Here's where I get the Mintex Red Box for $50/set http://www.importrp.com/home.php?cat=37 but they don't carry them for the '05+ yet.

Thanks, John. Yes, I saw that, goldarnit! I know they aren't interchangeable, or am I wrong?? Man, that's like 1/3 of the price of others, too!