When I bought mt 04 s type tge dealer explained to me the front brakes err changed but not the rear.. I noticed excessive brake dust build up on my rear wheels so I assumed the brakes needed to be replaced so I bought done new pads (oem_semi metallic) but after getting everything ready I saw tge pads were in almost new condition..

Could the excessive brake dust be because the pads are semi metallic or other? I assume theyre semi metallic be,ause they look almost identical to the pads I purchased .

so I returned the new pads and im asking would ceramic pads be ok? And would that get rid of the excessive brake dust that I have to constantly clean?

 

I went through something similar with my 03 S-type base. Front and rear pads when purchased looked and felt due for replacement. Front brakes tended to creek to a stop, especially loud at fast food or Starbucks drive-thrus. Rear brakes were spewing brake dust. When I pulled the pads? They weren't that old.


I replaced front and back with ceramic (and the rotors since those were due for a change) - no more squeaking front and no dust I can tell on the back. Oh, and remember semi-metallic pads can, sometimes, squeal a bit.


If this is your first time changing out the brake pads on the car, it is always a good time to make sure the rotors are good and not warped (I've heard of warping rear rotors on S-Types, not sure how common), calipers are functioning, cables are good, etc.


If you're doing the rear pads, first disengage the EPB by holding down the switch when turning off the car and removing the key. You'll need a special caliper compression tool for the rear pistons (the front pistons pushed in with a standard piston clamp, the rear pistons need to be turned clockwise as you push in gently). After you're done, you will have to reset the EPB. Instructions are on the forums, easily found. If you have the S-Type R, the EPB has separate pads and hardware and those pads are harder to find.

 

I use ceramic pads front and rear and find they produce far less dust than the OEM pads.