Brake dust ...

[Tomato]

Hi,

Does your Camry has more brake dust on the rear wheels? I wash the car by myself so I notice that there is usually dirtier on rear rims ... after every week (or 2)'s driving.

Thanks.

[johnnyzee]

that doesn't sound right. typically the front rims get more of the brake dust since the front pads are larger and do the majority of the braking work.

something might be wrong with your rears but if you don't notice any problems, ie: squeeking or seized calipers, might be alright. then it could be just a case of shitty rear pads that are wearing faster.

[Yazovets]

Front wheels always get more dust. However, I've been told that the Camry brake pads are made of some sort of ceramic compound, and therefore they "shed" much less as compared to other cars.

Try driving a BMW (any model) - in 48 hours your wheels will be black.

[Mike Gerber]

As the others have stated, the front breaks do most of the stopping and therefore should shed the most break dust. Take your car back to the dealer without cleaning the wheels for a while and show it to them. Let them check it out. Your car should still be under warranty. Therefore the problem should be the dealer's to deal with.

Mike

[TRD VVTi]

There are many possibilities why the rear may dust more.

Upon initial brake apply the rears move first. The caliper pistons are much smaller and apply very slightly before the front. Less fluid has to be displaced to move the piston. The front does most of the braking but the rear may apply longer depending on how you drive.

Another reason may be the fact that there is less air disruption around the rear wheels than the front.

It's also possible that the front and rear pads have a different material composition.

One of those things could easily cause what you are describing. It's not the dealer's "problem" unless there is ACTUALLY a problem.

[Rapid Roy]

My friend is a toyota dealer service writer and has told me to get my rear brakes inspected at 1000 miles or so because of the high number of cases of premature rear pad wear. This is being caused by sticking pistons in the rear calipers. Take it in, tell the service writer you hear grinding when you step on the brake and they will check it out.

[Tomato]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

As the others have stated, the front breaks do most of the stopping and therefore should shed the most break dust. Take your car back to the dealer without cleaning the wheels for a while and show it to them. Let them check it out. Your car should still be under warranty. Therefore the problem should be the dealer's to deal with.

Mike

Thanks Mike, I will certainly do this and ask them for a reason, but you know, most of the time, the dealer will just say: "sir, this is normal on your car, your car is in "healthy" position. There's no similar report on this kind of issue, please do not worry."

[Yazovets]

Do not deal with dealers for problem-discovery because they are useless.

Only use a separate mechanic. Whenever I have any mechanical problem, I always go to my mechanic.

Once he tells me what is actually wrong, if the cost to fix isn't too great, I just pay him to do it. He is a professional (unlike the dealer technicians), he is honest, and his hourly rate is low because we're friends.

If the job exceeds $1000, then it's the dealer. But I give them instruction because their judgement stinks like unwashed ass.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by Tomato

Thanks Mike, I will certainly do this and ask them for a reason, but you know, most of the time, the dealer will just say: "sir, this is normal on your car, your car is in "healthy" position. There's no similar report on this kind of issue, please do not worry."

I would hope that that is not the case, especially with a brake problem. There is a certain amount of liability that they would assume with brake issues. If a dealer in the US told me something like that "sir, this is normal on your car, your car is in "healthy" position" when I knew there was a real issue, I would just ask to speak to the service manager/director. If he also had the same response, I would call Toyota corporate customer service and discuss the situation with them. I would ask them if they feel this situation is normal. Toyota corporate will then contact the dealer on your behalf and discuss the issue with them. Do you have a number to call Toyota customer service in Hong Kong if something like that happens? I would first give the dealer the benefit of the doubt and bring the car in to them.

Good luck.

Mike