Anyone using disc brake dust "shields"?

[Spooled-up]

Washing the truck the other day and I can't stand how nasty the brake dust is making my shiny aluminum wheels. Any of you guys running a shield to prevent brake dust from getting on your wheels? Heard anything good or bad about them?

I run the AE 589 aluminum wheels with the round holes. This kinda makes me want my outlaw wheels back that I used to run on a '79 Bronco. They had no holes to let brake dust through and stayed very clean.

Any pictures or links to sites that might have info or pics would be appreciated.

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'99 2500 4x4 long bed quad cab auto with sport package.
My Toys

 

[Bob Wagner]

do a search in the archives. use "kleen wheels" for the search

the topic is there
www.kleenwheels.com #ad

 

[rotohead]

I've used the one's from Geno's for about 6 month's now and am happy with the product. Only problem I've run into is getting the people at the tire store to switch them when rotating. Wouldn't you think that it's pretty self-evident that those shields do no good on the rears? I might have understood the mistake if I hadn't made a point of it and they asked how effective they were. Oh well, pretty soon my new home will be completed and have a large garage so I can get a floor jack and do my own rotating.
Chuck

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Air Horns, Catz MSX, Drawtite Front Hitch, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

[Spooled-up]

Thanks for the info guys. Found what I need.

 

[CCahill]

Think about those covers when you are towing... . Those rotors need cooling, and the covers rob air from the rotors... . Plus, cooling is the main reason that wheels have holes, or slots... .....
Colin

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2001 Quad,4x4,AT,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded enough,stock,mostly... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/od
Specialized FSR PRO Stumpjumper,Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames
12' fishin' boat, loaded. .

 

[Spooled-up]

I was under the impression that the covers reversed the flow of air so that the dust was blown toward the underside of the truck.

Has anyone had problems overheating a caliper while towing with these things on?

 

[Deezal Man]

PLEASE do not use them. They do work well at keeping the wheels cleaner... But they also work well at warping rotors. Cost me two sets of rotors to find this out on a passenger car. Think about the heat created in our trucks.

Maybe I should refrain to say... . I don't recommend them.

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98. 5' Emerald Green 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), AMSOIL air filter.

 

[dresslered]

I used the same things on my car and threw them in the garbage a few years later. I found that they soon fill up with brake dust and the whole process starts over again. I also prefer to see at a nice shiny rotor than a dull black cover through the wheels. Additionally, I found that everytime I got new tires, the tire shop would "tweek" one so that it would rub while driving. I would have to go bend it back. I too was conserned about cooling, however, I drive my car differently than the truck.

After I added an exhaust brake to the truck, the brake dust went away.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins (ETH), 6-Speed (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Definatley bad news in the long run. Only a matter of time before your rotors warp. Alot of aftermarket rotor companies void warranties if you use those shields. All i do is wax my rims every 3 months. I never use wheel cleaner, just car wash soap and a designated "wheel mit", dust comes right off, no heavy scrubbing, no chemicals, no warped overheated rotors.

 

[rotohead]

You guys don't think the slots in the shields are effective? I suppose you could enlarge those slots alittle. I've also thought of getting Doug Hofeldt's new air dam that will have a provision to duct air to the front brakes. I haven't had the shields on long enough to see warping but I guess that is a definite possibility. Thanks for the heads up.

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Air Horns, Catz MSX, Drawtite Front Hitch, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

[DennyDay]

78K miles on the vented wheel shields, and no adverse effects, and my wheels stay clean. Got 'em from Geno's

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Denny
'99 2500 4X4 White short Q cab to much added to put here

 

[Hammer]

Hold heat in ,,Come on now give me a break,, They do work and will help,its a matter of choice,,IF that was the case and the wheels were slotted with the sole purpose for cooling the brakes,then I'll sell you a bridge in the desert over a lake,,Warping the rotors,ALL of these trucks do it no matter what wheel and cover used,at some time,,The comment about the wheels got me rollin' though,especially when over the years you think of all the combo's made by manufacturers,both factory and aftermarket,seems like this would have been an epidemic by now... ...

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98, Flame Red, Quad Cab, 2500, 4x4, 5spd, Autometer and Cyberdyne gauges,Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks,TST#10 plate,16cm housing, B-D Exhaust Brake,Timing Advanced,K&N,Totally Amsoiled,Cat Muffler and Silencer ring ALL M. I. A. ,A BOMBING IN THE PROCESS!!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Facts are facts. I had a customer have rotor warping in less then 10,000 miles on a mustang, ALL 4 WHEELS, after he added "Kleen Wheels" sheilds. And i know MANY other people who have had problems with brake fade. Baer-Claw, Brembo, Callaway, GT Rotors, Steeda, Salleen, Lingenfelter, and others all advise AGAINST using brake dust shields. Not only for the fact that in time they can warp the rotors, but there is no doubt that stopping distances are comprimised when the brakes are used repeadatly. This would be WORSE on a truck towing a heavy load. If you are always easy on your brakes you may never have a problem with warping. But ANY vehicle will suffer brake fade to a certain degree due to lack of cooling. Have you EVER seen a sports car sold with solid rims?. Do you think 18 wheelers rims have holes or slots in them for looks?. Personally, i want all the cooling i can get when towing a heavy load down hill in hot weather. I would rather spend 20 minutes extra a week cleaning my rims then losing my stopping distance and possible hitting something. If they caused NO harm dont you think alot of cars would come with them?. Just my 2c

 

[illflem]

David, we need a guinea pig to be the first one to tryceramic pads they are supposedly dustless. I agree that dust shields will cause rotor overheating from personal experience, I will never use them again.

 

[Cooker]

Two guys at work tried the cermaic pads, becasue they were talked into them at the shop that does their work.

I can't comment on the brake dust issue, but they both said they tought the "old" pads stopped better and the cermaics squeak more.

This may not be true for everyone, just their experience.