What’s your opinion on installing kleen wheels from performance to shield the brake dust generated by the MB break pads? Those have vents to help keep the breaks cool. Any ideas on that and what would be the downside to using those covers?

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Joe95E420

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benzino

I have a pair of kleen wheels mounted on the front wheels of my 89 300e and had significant reduction in brake dust build. No problem noted on my car.

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benzino

You have done the right thing. I'd been using these for the past two years, ...wheels are always clean, less maintenance.

Joseph_H

The only downside, since you asked, is potential for warped rotors due to the buildup of heat. Hypothetically the vents are supposed to prevent that but given how much air hits with the normal wheel design who knows how efficient they reaqlly are and only time will tell. Incidentally, I tried to get some to work on my 95 124 and could not get them to fit without rubbing and when I spoke to my Indy he warned against them.

Just my .02

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Mark
92 500e Spruce/Parchment (41k)
95 E320 Cab Cabernet/Parch (30K)
94 LS 400 Anniv Ed (traded on 500e)
85 Toyota Supra (103k)
90 Toyota 4Runner (56K)
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Sometimes you have to put your foot down to get a leg up

Thanks all for your reply.
At this point, i am not 100% sure if I want to use Kleen Wheels. The fact I live in very hot weather area and the talk about heat ventilation needed for the brakes all makes me uneasy on using kleen wheels. I'll keep investigating.

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Joe95E420

the easiest thing to do is to just clean the wheels often.

I try to clean mine at least twice a week, but I have very large wheel faces, and have waxed the wheels so the brake dust doesn't stick much.

I have heard man mixed stories regarding kleen wheels, from it will warp your rotors to I never had a problem with them.

So I base my decision on peace of mind. knowing there is a possibility of them warping the rotors, and or having clearance issues, is good enough for me to stay away. Plus its a hassle to install them along with the wheel when taking off your wheels. it doesn't take long to put them back on, but who wants to bother.


Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Yeah, I understand the premise behind the Kleen wheels thing, and although vented, I think they'd keep too much heat around the brake rotor. I myself have this problem on the Audi 4000 quattro with stock wheels (Ronal R8's turbine style) and you just have to stay on top of it. I usually hose off the wheels between washes if they get too nasty- but only after they've cooled down. One option is to possibly try some different brake pads. I hear the Axxis metalmasters don't throw too much brake dust, but they can kinda work on the rotors some. Anyhoo, food for thought. Good luck.

I must sayt that I removed mine after the brakes faded out on me a couple of times after a "hard" drive. It was scary pressing the pedal and feeling that I might not get stopped...

I really hate the brake dust and feel compelled to use the soft pads that make more dust... They are smoother and less likely to squeel.

I just read about the new slotted rotors and kevlar pads that don't make dust and am hoping they are a viable option!

Yea, I have used Kleen Wheels years ago and I was not impressed by it and would not even consider to use it again.One, they were rather unsightly inside your wheels. Two, I still have to clean the Kleen wheel from time to time. Three, brake ventilation is an issue regardless what the maker stated. I remember I took them off after several months. I had trememdous dust problem with my last car, a Bimmer(all Bimmers have real bad dust problem, just look at them at the stop lights and most owners don't even clean them!). After I changed to PBR pads, the problem was solved. Your brake pads are the problem so you need to address to that issue.

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Flash Gordon

2003 E500 BlackOpal/Charcoal

2004 Infiniti G35X