Replacing front brake splash guard?

[raleigh29]

How hard is it to replace the splash guard (Item #4 below) on the front brakes?



Do I need to disconnet the tie rods and control arm ball joint to change it out?

Any tips would be appreciated. Its knocking against the rotor and making a bad metal to metal sound when I go over bumps.

[X_WizarD_X]

Don't have to remove any tie rods or control arm parts....You will have to remove the wheel, caliper, rotor and wheel bearing/hub assembly as I don't believe the backing plate will slide over the hub...The plate is bolted to the strut assembly.
These pics might give you a better idea of the whole procedure:

http://webgraphx.com/m42club/318i-frontwheelbearing.html

The backing plate though should not be rubbing, knocking or anything else unless the bolts are broken...Prehaps you have other issues???

[raleigh29]

hmmm ok thanks for the advice. I will have to get under there and see if I am missing a bolt.

[raleigh29]

Well that fix was easy. The 2 bolts holding the splash guard onto the strut had come loose. Applied some threadlocker and tightened them up. No more metal to metal sound!