Brake Dust

[MEvang]

This is a very misleading advertisement since it doesn't really explain a thing, just try's to get you to request a "ceramic" brake pad. Truth is all "ceramic" brake pads are not created equally. The ceramic material used is simply part of a larger formula. It's like saying that "egg" cakes are better. Well, most cakes are made with eggs, some are not for a good reason. But the fact is if you put to much egg in the cake mix it will turn to $#@*. And so it is the same with ceramic brake pads.
I don't know what is in the OEM pads. They don't advertise them this way, but there is a very good chance it has ceramic material to some extent. But it's the right amount for a large variety of driving conditions. They have been taste tested, you might say by the NHTSA . And it passed all their tests. This is not the case with "Billy Jacks" Brand of brake pads. Aftermarket brake pads manufacture are not required to have their products tested for safety, dusting, fading, squeals or anything for that matter. No one even holds them accountable for their claims.
Name brand manufactures (Raybestos, Wagner, Bendix, ect.) have a reputation to uphold and do their own testing. Sometime they don't hit the mark but you are much better off with them if you don't want to go OEM.
Just simply put stay away from a brand you have never heard of and if you simply are not sure then stay with OEM. And don't buy pads off the internet, go to a repitable auto parts store. This way you can't go wrong.
Mike

[HOGWILD]

My tech told me that biggest benefit from ceramics was brakes did not heat up like OEM pads but that OEM's were probably the way to go unless ya had about an extra 60 bucks to throw away on price difference! I feel if it would keep from heating rotors any at all it would be money well spent but probably a crap shoot in benefits! The break dust with ceramics is just that it is a different shade vs OEM break dust and it is supposed to be a tad less noticable but not a big difference from what i was told?
Hawk Performance: Truck and SUV Brakes here is a Manufactuers link and not saying i would buy them but a FYI type link? no body has come forward and mentioned the pros and cons that have actually used them but a search could probably prove me wrong?

[MEvang]

Braking is all about producing heat. You are taking the kinetic energy of a moving vehicle and converting it to heat. If what your tech said was true, this would not be a benefit at all. Pads must produce heat
Your right about the brake dust, the color might change but you'll still get dust. I actually tried a sets of ceramic pads recommend by a friend and it turned out that these dusted so badly I had to remove them and go back to OEM. Ceramic pads, but badly formulated. This is a chance you can take when buying some aftermarket pads.
Mike

[lelandstanford]

Originally Posted by MEvang

B I actually tried a sets of ceramic pads recommend by a friend and it turned out that these dusted so badly I had to remove them and go back to OEM.

What brand was it?

[vermacelli]

Originally Posted by lelandstanford

What brand was it?

I installed a set of Axxis Ultimate (ceramic enhanced) pads up front a couple years ago which caused my front wheels to always have a coat of dark colored dust. I recently purchased a set of Hawk HPS and Powerslot slotted rotors as replacements from the Tirerack. Once the weather clears up, I'll swap everything out and hopefully have cleaner wheels.

[MEvang]

Originally Posted by lelandstanford

What brand was it?

PBR Ceramic pads gave me the bad dusting.
Mike

[lelandstanford]

I've tried Wagner Ceramic before. Less dusting than factory semi-metallic.

[MEvang]

I heard good reports about the Wagner Ceramic pads. We used Wagner when they were first heavily breaking into the aftermarket and they were very good at updating pad formulas when they gave problems. This was years ago and I sure they have a good handle on things now. I would consider them a good alternative to OEM
Mike