Just got a beautiful set of chrome 5 spoke OEM wheels for my new 1997 SL500.Do brake dust covers really help. Any mfgr. suggestions and comments are appreciated.

I recommend ceramic pads over the covers.

I had some of the cover devices and had trouble keeping them straight and not being caught and bent. More troulbe than they're worth, imho.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

* A brake-dust cover does keep the brake dust off the wheel. But there's a trade-off, a safety trade-off. The brakes run hotter during use because the covers are blocking the flow of cooling air through the wheel slots.
* Like most safety issues, there's only a small probability of trouble for most driving conditions. But if you combine just the right conditions, the resultant brake fading could cause an accident; like driving through the mountains, in some traffic, maybe even with a small trailer in tow (and add the use of some cheap, never-changed, DOT3 brake fluid). The brakes won't cool very well and be doubly prone to fading. Then if you need to stop in a hurry. Well, you get the picture.
* When covers are used they're primarily used on front wheels only. The covers are manufactured with little token air slots but I doubt that they flow much air (more air = more dust).
* I generally find them on the wrong wheels, or one on the front and one on the back. If my customer bought the car used and isn't aware of the covers, I usually point out the possible safety hazard and opt for pitching the covers.

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ASE Master Tech
Quality Enterprises
Mercedes Svc. & Restoration
Sheridan, IN
317.769.3536

I was cleaning my wheels all the time and now that I have my KleenWheels (on all 4) I don't need to clean my wheels every week. I found that if I left the brake dust on for longer than a week it was almost impossible to get off.

Sure there may be some more heat with them on, but I don't drive hard. I do live in the mountains and have not had a problem.

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1991 350SD (updated rods)
Biodiesel B100 when I can find it.
Dino when really cold outside

Mercedes forbids brake covers on safety grounds.

Any professional mechanic you take your car to will remove them.

Wax your wheels to combat the dust sticking and wash them weekly as your owners manual recommends.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles