i have been getting so annoyed with my front wheels (rims) of my X. They are the stock 16" wheels from my 04. They continue to get dirty so fast, practically a day after I clean them. The back ones stay fine and clean, but the front ones get all that black crap (i think brake dust) on them and look like hell. Just wondering if this happens to others and if anyone has ANY suggestions on what I can to to help prevent this and keep them looking shiny for more then a few days after washing them.

Let me know guys, your help is appreciated.

Same here...'Cept I've got al. rims and they've turned a rust colored brown. I'm assuming from the brake dust.

Bought some Meguiars wheel cleaner specifically for the problem and no joy.

From what I hear, Nissan's in general are known for this brake dust problem. Not much you can do about it. I wonder if it looks that bad with black rims?

ive heard and read about 2 solutions.

Simple Green- dilute it and spray it on, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and wipe off

Wax- put a simple coat of wax on them and it will work to prevent brake dust from getting on there

what does anyone else think???????

That idea popped into my head when reading the original post... Certainly worth a try!

i suggest eagle one wheel cleaner, its what i use, spray on, use a small brush to get some of the thick stuff off, hose off, shiny, like-new rims

You could try a little "Purple stuff", full strength. If I remember right, my brother had some spray on stuff that worked wonders on brake dust. I'll be in Pa. this weekend and I'll ask him.
Personally, I'm getting a little sick of cleaning the dust off the lugs every time I rotate the tires, but if I don't, the job get near to impossible the next time.

how about just switching your brand of brake pads to low-dust brand? a thought??

simple green works.. applying anything, like wax, that doesnt dry completely will only collect more dust- faster.

I did see some kind of plates made out of some kind of nylon or plastic, that were mounted behind the wheel itself. It is suppose to keep the brake dust off the wheels completely.I saw them used on a BMW suv with chrome wheels. Also saw them in some auto parts store. I'll post a pict and name if I can remember where I came across them. Good for looks..probably not good for Mud..lol

Or how about race car brake pads? They are virtually dust free......

but they will never get to the right temperature to work right on an Xterra.

I'm leary of any non dealer pads, but open to suggestions. I can handle the brake dust, but that constant squeeking (w/Napa pads, anyway) drives me nuts.
BTW: Talkin' about brake dust, the premium Napa pads lasted me about 8K, squeeked all the time, and threw off more dust than you can shake a stick at. Stay away from them. Dealer pads are quiet and last me 35K. That's OK. Time to pack the bearings anyway.

Please remember that asbestos is usually used on brake parts. Don't go blowing it with an air compressor or wiping it with a towel that will later be put in the washing machine. Wet it down first, then wipe with disposable cloth of some kind and throw away. I put RainX on mine and it hasn't pitted the original rims or done any type of discoloring and makes the process a lot easier.
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they don't need to be 'race car pads' to be low dust.. pads heat up faster in a 4000lb Xterra than in an 1800lbs race car. heat is not an issue.

Check out EBC Brakes.. they make a pad called 'green stuff'.. low dust formula for suv/light trucks.

03-04 EBC Green Stuff.. at the bottom. EBC Brakes

yeah, yeah, yeah

I was just being cute.

Sorry.

BIOS

let me know if you find that picture i am really interested.

POST IT PLEASE!

When you take the wheels off to rotate them, scrub the insides with several pieces of brillo. Clean the outsides with a regular car wash sponge. Rinse and dry. Then apply some wax. For the next 20 washes, the brake dust will wipe off with just some soapy water. My '02 wheels have 76K miles on them and they look damn near new after I wash the truck.

Hey.Sorry for the delay..
Kleen Wheel Dust Covers

Really? I thought they stopped using that a long time ago..

Are rims on the older X's that much different than what is on the 05?
My rims have a smooth surface so brake dust either wipes off with a rag or washes off during a car wash.

Try this stuff for brake dust:

http://www.petroferm.com/michelin/faq.htm

You can get it at Autozone

After wheels are cleaned, brake dust will really 'stick' to the raw clear coat finish that's on the wheels. So put a coat of whatever product you use on the X's paint on the wheels. The wax will act as a barrier and dust will be easier to clean off next time.

dave and xtoy - or never use the brakes

I dont see any for the 17" S/C wheels.......
only for the 15" and 16".........
The ones for the 16's would probrably work tho right?

Robb

Xterradon said
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and the EPA's website even states that brake pads are not banned in it's list of non-banned parts.

epa website on asbestos

July 12, 1989 it was banned. In 1991 the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned the decision.

Am I an expert on the subject? Certainly not. But, a friend of our family owned an automotive shop died of Mesothelioma about 6 years ago. Sure, he probably contracted it over the career in automotive repairs, before OSHA cracked down on asbestos use, but the product is still used today. I'm just saying, that yes the gathering brake dust on the rims is unpleasant to look at, but get rid of it in a sensible way.

There is no way to prevent the brake dust...i mean it takes a lot to stop a 4,000 lb truck so the best thing to do is put wax on the rims so it is easier to wipe off.