SL/R230: Dust Shield ?
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21
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From: Lansdale, PA
SL 500
Dust Shield ?
Has anyone used dust shields to keep the brake dust off of your wheels? My warranty is up on my '03 and I was thinking of installing them. The service advisor recommended against them when the car was new stating they could negatively affect the heating of the pads. He also stated it would void the warranty.On the other hand I know a few people who have them on other MB models and rave about how much better their wheels look.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Atlanta, GA
2003 SL500
I have heard from other mechanics (not MB dealers) that the heat build up on the rotors can significantly effect life and performance.
I think we are just stuck with excessive brake dust. I have heard about a product for wheels that repels the brake dust and can keep them cleaner, but I have been unable to find it.
I think we are just stuck with excessive brake dust. I have heard about a product for wheels that repels the brake dust and can keep them cleaner, but I have been unable to find it.
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From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
I have heard from other mechanics (not MB dealers) that the heat build up on the rotors can significantly effect life and performance.
I think we are just stuck with excessive brake dust. I have heard about a product for wheels that repels the brake dust and can keep them cleaner, but I have been unable to find it.
I think we are just stuck with excessive brake dust. I have heard about a product for wheels that repels the brake dust and can keep them cleaner, but I have been unable to find it.
Last edited by lkirchner; Jan 3, 2007 at 01:58 PM. Reason: correction
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Atlanta, GA
2003 SL500
The product is called Wheel Shine or Wheel Wax and is at best moderately effective. Any sealant such as Zaino, NXT will make the wheels easier to clean but will not eliminate the brake dust. If you truly want to get rid of the dust change your pads to a low dust pad such as Porterfield pads.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21
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From: Lansdale, PA
SL 500
It is amazing to me that MB and especially BMW can't figure out a way to get rid of this problem. Lexus seems to have done so without sacrificing performance.
My wife's 5-series BMW is horrible with that insidious dust. So much so that she will never buy another BMW.
My wife's 5-series BMW is horrible with that insidious dust. So much so that she will never buy another BMW.
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From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
No. In fact the Porterfield pads are better performing than the OEM MB pads. Here is an excerpt from their propoganda.
Porterfield's R4-S high performance, low-dust brake pads are made from Carbon/Kevlar with a ceramic insulator, and are used for street, highway and limited competion use. The reduction in the amount of brake dust compared to OEM is dramatic, over 90% less, and is easily removed.
The R4-S pads provide a very high friction level even at cold temperatures. There is no "warm up" period when first starting out with cold brakes as associated with other, so-called, racing pads. This is the fastest stopping road pad available. Great for limited competition, motocrosses, driver schools and solo events.
The pads are designed not to squeal, are rotor friendly, and produce a small amount of dust that is not noticeable and can be easily removed. Porterfield R4-S require light pedal effort and provide a super high friction level through all braking temperatures, and exhibit no fade. The brake coefficient for the Porterfield R4-S pad is 0.4. The temperature limit is 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (593.3 celsius).
Porterfield's R4-S high performance, low-dust brake pads are made from Carbon/Kevlar with a ceramic insulator, and are used for street, highway and limited competion use. The reduction in the amount of brake dust compared to OEM is dramatic, over 90% less, and is easily removed.
The R4-S pads provide a very high friction level even at cold temperatures. There is no "warm up" period when first starting out with cold brakes as associated with other, so-called, racing pads. This is the fastest stopping road pad available. Great for limited competition, motocrosses, driver schools and solo events.
The pads are designed not to squeal, are rotor friendly, and produce a small amount of dust that is not noticeable and can be easily removed. Porterfield R4-S require light pedal effort and provide a super high friction level through all braking temperatures, and exhibit no fade. The brake coefficient for the Porterfield R4-S pad is 0.4. The temperature limit is 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (593.3 celsius).
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From: HAWAII
2007 SL550 Iridium Silver/Black, P2 Pkg: Parktronic,KeylessGo, Distronic 2004 CLK 500
I took delivery of a 2007 SL550 in November and am amazed how clean my wheels are after daily use. My 2004 CLK 500 wheels are always black with brake dust, so MB has finally got this right for the '07 model year.
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From: Franklin TN,Sarasota FL
2007 SL550, 2008 S65, Golf cart and a few non-MB vehicles
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
I was wondering the same thing
I was wondering the same thing. There is one thing you can count on with every Mercedes, and that is a lot of brake dust.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Long Island. NY.
2005 SL500 BLK/Charcoal Sport, Porsche 2013 Turbo Cayenne
Me too. I can drive for 10 minutes and have to clean the wheels. I have Kleen wheels on my 99 Durango and they work extremely well.
I just put Klasse all in one on the SL500 wheels to try making cleaning easier but have to see in a few days if it helped. I would like to find a box of some sort of "wipes" that I could keep in the car for quick cleanups.
I just put Klasse all in one on the SL500 wheels to try making cleaning easier but have to see in a few days if it helped. I would like to find a box of some sort of "wipes" that I could keep in the car for quick cleanups.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: HAWAII
2007 SL550 Iridium Silver/Black, P2 Pkg: Parktronic,KeylessGo, Distronic 2004 CLK 500
I've owned 6 Mercedes over the last ten years and this is the first car that hasn't thrown off lots of brake dust. I just assumed that the '07 models had different brake pads, but it sounds like other '07 owners still have the same annoying problem. Don't know what to tell you. My commute is mainly city driving with lots of braking. I picked up my car at the factory in Stuttgart - but can't imagine that makes any difference.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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2003 SL500
Brake Dust
I have jumped in on previous discussions recarding this topic in other forums. I'll repeat myself in brief. There has always been talk about disk or pad problems after installing some type of "dust shield". I have repeatably asked for some type of documented experience proving this. None has ever been brought to my attention. I used a set of dust shields on my E320 for about 40k miles with no problems at all. I'm not saying that that constant hard stopping or long mountain roads might not have some type of long term effect. But with normal driving habits I don't see any harm done. If anyone has documented conflicting data please chime in. As far as swithing to a different form of brake pad, I've done that also. The trade off is some possible brake squeel. Bottom line, pick your poison or keep cleaning your wheels.
Glenn
Glenn
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 378
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From: Boston and SWFlorida
2025 GLC300 white, 2023 Taycan RWD black
I have dust shields on my 1997 S320 and have put 60,000 on the car since I bought it eight years ago. I have never had any brake problems and the wheels always look a lot better than the SL's.
