Pitted Wheels - Page 2 - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

**SmartDigger** · 09-12-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_H

I like my brake dust shields (kleenwheels) a lot but then I also have painted wheels and EBC pads, first greenstuff and now redstuff. I hated cleaning my Z4's wheels!

Even if the shields are only "needed" on the front, I use them front and back for a uniform look.

How are the red stuff pads? I am going to get the red or green as soon os I need pads. I will keep cleaning for now.

prash · 09-12-2009, 08:26 PM

I was my cars regularly....and this is the only one that has done this. It should not get pitted so easily. and Smart should be getting back to me and not making me call them all the time. The dealer has been great. They tried to buff it out but could do no more. I still like my car alot, but we should not give smart a pass on something that is not right.

jetfuel · 09-12-2009, 08:41 PM

...if not taken care promptly aluminium alloy wheels will deteriorate to a point that can be considered unsafe for use...the surface corrosion can be quite deep and not show at all on the outside...with the winter season upon us and if your city uses salt for ice prevention it will accelerate the process.....just me..
...if the wheels are badly pitted the only solution is removal of the paint to treat the affected area followed by a fresh paint/clear coat...again...just me...

jetfuel...

Padawan · 09-12-2009, 09:00 PM

I really think using the term "pitting" is misleading here, because the issue (at least as I've experienced it) is the brake dust becoming embedded in the finish of the wheels. This may be due to the specific composition of the smart's brake pads, the quality of the finish on the wheels, or both. However, there is no reason to believe that it is anything other than a cosmetic issue, and the embedded particles can be almost entirely removed with a clay bar and some elbow grease.

jetfuel · 09-12-2009, 09:14 PM

...Padawan..totally agree with you on the cosmetic part of the equation...
...but I rather err on the side of caution/safety...

jetfuel

John_H · 09-12-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmartDigger

How are the red stuff pads? I am going to get the red or green as soon os I need pads. I will keep cleaning for now.

I still stop when I want to stop! I don't panic-stop very often so I can't give a comparison there. It's also tough to make a cleanliness statement since I don't have a problems on my side panels (or the wheels themselves, really) but the rain will really make a mess of the smart's backside. We haven't had much rain and I'm not sure if that mess is much from my own pads anyway.

I have nothing to complain about. Is that a recommendation in itself?

**SmartDigger** · 09-12-2009, 09:33 PM

I am trying to slow the dust down. The red pads would be the best for that but, some say the red pads will kill the rotors very fast. Are the red pads eating your rotors? It sounds like you drive close to the way I do.

John_H · 09-12-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmartDigger

I am trying to slow the dust down. The red pads would be the best for that but, some say the red pads will kill the rotors very fast. Are the red pads eating your rotors? It sounds like you drive close to the way I do.

As it is, I have EBC rotors in there that I got with my greenstuff pads when I got the car. When I checked the rotors at one point (winter tire change? 11.5k miles) the greenstuff pads hadn't eaten much of the rotor; I could feel some texture but no lip. I got my redstuff at 15.8k miles. Now at about 20k miles, my rotors still feel pristine. I did the ol' reach-around on my rotors since I have the dust shields in the way of front access. I manages to get my knuckles past the inside guard to find what feels like a pristine surface; I had to double-check to make sure I was on the right part of the wheel.

I'd guess that on my smart for the last 4k miles there's no unusual wear on my EBC rotors.

But I found some of my brake dust!! I washed it off quick so my hand won't pit.

smarish · 09-13-2009, 06:22 AM

They need to rectify the problem, and not just blow us off. It is a problem they should have foreseen. I think they were just trying to save a few bucks. Maybe that's the going tobe their response. Like "What do you expect for $15K" or so?

Padawan · 09-13-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smarish

They need to rectify the problem, and not just blow us off. It is a problem they should have foreseen. I think they were just trying to save a few bucks. Maybe that's the going tobe their response. Like "What do you expect for $15K" or so?

It isn't an issue that's unique to the smart, nor is it an issue of using sub-standard parts. Subaru STI owners report the same occurance on their expensive BBS wheels with obviously decent pads. Integra Type R owners have the same issue with their stock wheels while running certain high-performance (and expensive) pads. Mustang owners with high-end Roush wheels and Hawk pads. BMW owners also frequently experience the issue.

Short of including a coupon for free unlimited wheel detailing with every fortwo, there really isn't anything that smart can do to "rectify" the issue.

Here is a nice outline of why this occurs, and how to effectively detail your wheels:

Wheel Surface Cleaning - Detailing Bliss Forum