Brake Protection Plate... Useless or what?

[bwanac]

For those who know what I am talking about is this thing useless, aka I can take it off.

For others, I am talking about the metal plate in between the rotor and strut up front)and back?). It kinda just seems like a kleen wheels thing on the wrong side of the rotor. I am just wondering if I can take those off, or if they actually do protect the brake system.

[Jordan]

On stock sized wheels it aids in keeping brake dust off everything behind it.

If you are running larger wheels, that point is moot.

It does also help keep crap off the speed sensor wheel.

I don't know if it serves any purpose beyond this.

I do not have the front ones on my car.

[bwanac]

Cool thanks Jordan. :up:

I guess I will pull mine off tomorrow, or whenever I throw my wheels back on.

[Jordan]

It doesn't "pull" off.

You can't remove it as a whole part unless you pull the hub and wheel bearing.

Use a pair of metal snips or dykes and cut it off at the caliper recess.

[jflower]

pretty sure it's more than just a "bolt off" mod... IIRC the wheel bearings have to come off if you want to take them off without tin snips.

good luck.

edit: jinx... ya got me jordan...

[bwanac]

I took them off my part car, I think you only need to take the rotors off, i dont remeber. it was only held in by a few bolts. Actually on second thought you may be right. tin snips may be needed! Damnit!

[DaN]

On my car it appears that the plate is incorporated into the brake duct system.
It looks like a scoop that catches the cool ai,r to lower brake temps.
I wouldn't remove it, unless you have some good reason.

[Spaz]

well in my opinon the may reason for the sheild is to protect all of which is behind it from dust and deflect *some* heat. on some cars they are bent open at the front to catch and promote air flow around the rotor. another reason would it is useful i can help prevent rocks and such hitting your rotor, caliper and possibly jamming inbetween to make quite a pleasurable noise. the reason why you may have to worry about pebbles and such is because they could bounce off the fender in....highly unlikely that it will bonce, though the outside of the wheel.

thats what i have to say,

i'd just clean them and leave them if your not replacing or removing your wheel bearings...but if you are, it may be .2 of a pound but that is .2 less of unsprung wieght :P