Tate

I notice there are heavy brake dust on the wheels just after a few days of driving. I think it is not GLK specific but MB in general. I also notice the same thing on other MBs on the road

I guess one good thing about the sports package is less wheel surface to clean Time to get some more Michelin Brake Dust Repellent on the wheels soon

Dreamka

My Previous car was BMW and it had a lot of dust on front wheel.
I guess It should be even more than MB.

People said that it was caused by front brake pad.
If you change with ceramic pads then it should be better.

NYCGLK

I think in the beginning I was getting more break dust as the breaks were being broken in, got better now. But this all depends on your driving style and conditions.

GreenArcher85

I too was notcing the brake dust on the GLK.

On the W204 section, I read the thread "BRAKE DUST NO MORE !!" by MIKEFILI. I don't know how to link. There was a TSB on Brake Dust for the C-class but it's only the C's produced before 07/2008. Details below.

Thanks,


SUBJECT:
Model 204.054/056/081, Up to 06/2008 Series Production
Brake Squeal and/or Excessive Brake Dust From Rear Axle

If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of brake squeal and or excessive brake dust from the rear axle, replace the rear brake pads with revised parts. Refer to WIS document AR42.10-P-0250CW.
Only first 12 months or 12000 miles will be covered.
Originally Posted by 6spdmanual

bobhammer

Ceramic pads on a GLK, a bit wasteful isnt it?

NYCGLK

the better brake pads the more dust for the most part (there are exceptions)

ceramic pads are not wasteful for GLK, they are common, we are not talking about ceramic set like they put on sports cars, it's just pads, not ceramic rotors. Keep in mind tho that better (harder) pads will wear off the rotors faster, so there is a balancing act.

Overall I don't think GLK is too bad with brake dust, but I don't ride my breaks, and since tranny keeps gears, the engine breaking works pretty well.

drcollie

Brake Dust is generated by the braking action, of course. The Engineers will decide how much pad wear and dust are acceptable when choosing a pad. The more dust you see, the better performing (but faster-wearing) the brake pad.

Non-performance customers object to brake dust, so it becomes a constant battle to put 'cleaner' pads on vehicles vs. ones that stop better. If you even look at a race car, the wheels are virtually black after just a few laps, the amount of brake dust they generate is massive, but they are designed to last for the race and deliver maximum braking.

"Dustless' brake pads give off a light grey-ish dust and work OK for mild street driving, but will fade rapidly in any spirited use. As a instructor for the AMG Driving Experience and other high performance driving schools, I will not ride with a student in his own car in a track environment if they are using dustless brake pads - that's how bad they are.

A product that works very well in making wheels easy to clean is REJEX, made for the aircraft industry.

http://www.rejex.com/rejex.html

Coat your wheels 2x a year with this and your brake dust will wash off with a stream of water and a light sponge.

-Duane

Baby G

Have you tried it??

drcollie

Of course. I would not recommend it otherwise.

webada

Just wax the wheels when you wax the car, same result as rejex or whatever.

jpjolo

+1
Easier to clean if the wheels were waxed.
Also don't let it build up too much otherwise it gets caked on and harder to remove.

MtnMachine

After a week of driving new GLK, very little dust. New BMW had much more dust.

I like the brake pedal feel and gradual grab of GLK. I know some like the shorter travel, faster grab feel.

GLK is not a light car for its size or compared to a 3 series BMW and think the GLK brakes do a great job. Rotor size and stopping distance tests would indicate
serious, well matched brakes for GLK.

My expectations for GLK were a small SUV with sporty conering, balance and better than average SUV quickness, not a BMW 335 sport sedan that provided extra cargo and road clearance.

I wax my wheels and hood more often than entire car. Works for me.

Baby G

Good review post!!!

drcollie

You've tried the Rejex and feel its the same as car wax, correct? Or are you just rendering an opinion based on not knowing WTF you are talking about?

webada

dude, calm down, are you selling rejex or what? my experiences with car wax on wheels isn't unique, just go to any detailing forum. so if you already have car wax, why go get something just for the wheels.

kushy

I don't find that the GLK produces much brake dust at all, especially when compared to Bimmers. The rims on my BMW are much more difficult to clean as well since some brake dust is caked on. Grrrrrr....

Ballsofsteel

I came from a 2007 Lexus IS250 AWD which was a front brake dust magnet. The GLK hardly gets any brake dust whatsoever in comparison. A gentle wipe once every week or 2 will do. The IS required a wipe and scrub every day.