Backing plate and wheel hub

[Karmageddon]

Hi

So my backing plates are rusted out, and if my MacGyver fix doesn't work, I will have to take the whole thing apart. I have havent found any guides on how to replace the backing platee. I have noticed a couple people talk about replacing backing plates while redoing rear wheel bearings, I figure that that I could follow those steps to get to the backing plate.

Now to my question, when I pull the hub off will I have to replace the wheel bearings, or can the bearing just be reassembled?


My wheel bearings are good right now and the car only has 113k km on it.

The car is a '91 318is.

[MR 325]

You can re-install the "used" hub and bearing assembly.

[Karmageddon]

Ok, that makes life easier.

Thanks for the help.

[frankie591]

What purpose does the backing plate even serve? I just cut mine off.

[Karmageddon]

On the rear it's for the handbrake.

[TurboJake]

What purpose does the backing plate even serve? I just cut mine off.

The biggest reason? It prevents road grime, pebbles, and some water from getting into or onto the brakes. Pebbles getting stuck between the pad and rotor surface being the biggest concern.

It's also to prevent the exposure of the ball joints and tie rods from the heat of the rotors and braking system.

And of course, it cuts down how much brake dust can get onto the suspension parts.

[jlevie]

If you pull the rear hubs you will almost certainly damage the bearings. They aren't that expensive, so just replace them when you change the backing plates.

[Bearmw]

TurboJake that was the best description of what backing plates do that I have read. For the reasons you described I kept mine because not Racecar.