Excessive brake dust on front wheels, what would be the most likely cause?

[SlugStang8997]

My front wheels have lots of brake dust on them and i haven't even driven very much. Wondering what is most likely the problem. Bad brake pads, or bad rotors etc...
I know i have new brake pads in the back in the rear end. But i don't know what kind of brake pads are in the front of the truck.
The truck had 177000 miles on it before the swap so wheel bearings could be bad. Could bad wheel bearings cause excessive brake dust? One wheel bearing had some play and got greased. That side has the most brake dust.

2001 Ford Ranger xlt v8 swapped with mercury moutaineer 5.0 v8 and transmission and rear end.
I have the ranger 4.0 suspension in the front of the truck but the truck was originally the 3.0 engine.

 

[Bgunner]

Sticky caliper
Bad wheel bearings
Caliper slides not greased properly
Caliper installed improperly
Type of brake pad
Rear brakes not working properly

These are the reasons off the top of my head why brake dust could be heavy. It is normal for front wheels to get more brake dust since on average 70% of your braking is done by the front. The type of material that the pads are made of make a big difference in brake dust. I've had sets of pads that were worse than others. I usually get low dust pads to prevent the buildup but the down side is that they don't seem to grab as well. Its a trade off.

 

[rubydist]

Crappy cheap metallic brake pads.

Always get ceramic pads.

 

[broncc]

My Motorcraft pads dusted like crazy on the Ranger. Are you noticing any symptoms of brake issues? Do you smell burning friction material? Does the car pull to one side? If you touch the wheel (not the rotor or caliper ouch!) after a drive with minimal braking is it hot to the touch? It might be time to buy a carwash subscription or some wheel cleaner like HotRims.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Cheap pads. Not necessarily semi-metallic.

Certain years of factory Ford pads were a joke for this, others were fine.

 

[SlugStang8997]

I do smell a metallic smell after driving the truck sometimes. No major brake issues and no pulling to one side. I don't think my steering wheel gets hot. I will check that.

I suspect the wheel bearings are bad and probably cheap pads are on there. I didn't put them on whatever they are.
I recently bought this truck and as time has gone on i have found alot of problems so far. Exhaust leak, Radiator leak, bad glass, excessive brake dust, smacking clunking sound when i turn on the air...,had to replace the bed and every day i keep thinking whats next... All the while i suspect the frame is bent...but not sure on that yet.
I thought the truck would be a cool fast fun truck but thus far its been all problems. But i am hoping i can just solve them all and have a great truck.

But the good news is im not dropping oil and my coolant is the right color so at least the engine or motor is good and the transmission is good.

 

[Lefty]

My front wheels have lots of brake dust on them and i haven't even driven very much. Wondering what is most likely the problem. Bad brake pads, or bad rotors etc...
I know i have new brake pads in the back in the rear end. But i don't know what kind of brake pads are in the front of the truck.
The truck had 177000 miles on it before the swap so wheel bearings could be bad. Could bad wheel bearings cause excessive brake dust? One wheel bearing had some play and got greased. That side has the most brake dust.

2001 Ford Ranger xlt v8 swapped with mercury moutaineer 5.0 v8 and transmission and rear end.
I have the ranger 4.0 suspension in the front of the truck but the truck was originally the 3.0 engine.

I don't know, but I installed slotted and cross drilled rotors, I've noticed that they stay clean. It might be that they are just new and haven't been scored too badly from road dust and debris. It might also be that the holes and slots tend to whisk away the dust. I'm sure they will clog up over time and that they may need to be cleaned.

 

[SlugStang8997]

I took the truck in to a mechanic to have the front brakes checked... so i should have a diagnosis today some time. I like to order my own parts unless there is something really unsafe going on that can't wait. I also have an ac issue there going to check out. When i learn whats going on i will post it here. My older brother is the one who noticed the dust, I didn't notice, i just thought the wheels just had gotten dirty.

 

[sgtsandman]

I'm betting it's the pads. Ever since I switched to ceramic pads, brake dust on the wheels has been minimal. Build up still happens, just no where near as bad a cheap brake pads.

 

[SlugStang8997]

I'm betting it's the pads. Ever since I switched to ceramic pads, brake dust on the wheels has been minimal. Build up still happens, just no where near as bad a cheap brake pads.

What brand ceramic pads did you switch 2? How many pads are in the front of the truck? I will look them up.

 

[SlugStang8997]

My Motorcraft pads dusted like crazy on the Ranger. Are you noticing any symptoms of brake issues? Do you smell burning friction material? Does the car pull to one side? If you touch the wheel (not the rotor or caliper ouch!) after a drive with minimal braking is it hot to the touch? It might be time to buy a carwash subscription or some wheel cleaner like HotRims.

Witch Motorcraft pads dusted like crazy? No brake issues but there is a metallic smell and the truck doesn't pull at all.

 

[sgtsandman]

What brand ceramic pads did you switch 2? How many pads are in the front of the truck? I will look them up.

I don't remember. Powerstop, maybe? Raybestos? As long as they are a name brand, they should be good.

 

[SlugStang8997]

I don't remember. Powerstop, maybe? Raybestos? As long as they are a name brand, they should be good.

Thanks for your reply
My brake pads were at 20% as it turns out so that must have been the source of the dust. I got some ceramic brake pads. Don't know what brand. I have to ask my mechanic they were 70$ though so that sounds about right. I asked if my wheel bearings were doing okay and he said there not making any noise but that he didn't take them apart. I bought wheel bearings for the future if they become an issue.

So hopefully that will solve the brake dust issue. Hope that is the last issue for a little while.

Cause i bought the truck for 6500 $ i bought new wheels and tires for the truck for about 2000$ I replaced the leaky radiator for 287$, fixed an exhaust leak 300$, Replaced the windshield 500$ recharged the ac 200$ replaced the bed 1000$ Registered the vehicle and i forget how much that was. Tags are payed. I didn't have to smog the truck. Bought new steering wheel 280$ new seats 500$. Had abs programmed 250 $ for new tire size

The truck needs a paint job estimated at 2800 $ and some body work or frame repair XXXX $ I wanted to do a lift spindle kit and block the back of the truck 2100$ Then buy tires again XXXX $
For me its alot of money in short amount time. I only have had the truck for a month or so. I started to dip into my credit cards. Im going to have to slow down on restoring the truck back to like new condition.

I really really really don't want the frame to be bent but i still deep down inside think the frames bent. Im going to have to unbend it once i confirm that. I have had 2 shops tell me its not bent but they didn't measure anything to my knowledge or put the truck on a frame machine. I might get that figured out on Thursday when i take it to another collision Center.

Anyway brake dust issue is solved, bad pads replaced, for now unless there is something else wrong with the brake system.

Thanks to all who replied

 

[broncc]

You made be dig DEEP back in my Rockauto orders... The pads were #BR11438.

I've checked frame squareness before and its not hard. You only need a few things to do it. Find a flat and smooth surface to park the truck on. Use a plumbbob or washer on a string to mark the ground under parts on both sides of the frame with chalk. Drive the truck away. Measure diagonally to the chalk marks and make sure they are the same both ways. If the measurements aren't close, you have a problem.