dust shields?

what is the benefit/purpose of brake dust shields? Do you really need them? In order to do my brake upgrade, I will have to custom make larger brake shield, not to mention break off my rear shields and weld in new ones... and I’m beginning to wonder the pros and cons to not having them…
PROs:
not hassling with trying to make them, less weight, less trouble with the upgrade, and not having to find a new friend with a welder…

CONs: Unknown

http://www.innerauto.com/Auto_Part/Brake_Dust_Shields/.
It is all up to the indivudal

I ripped mine off the front when I did my brakes. The back are still on. If you have to go through the trouble of making new ones and shit I would just leave them off.

http://www.innerauto.com/Auto_Part/Brake_Dust_Shields/.
It is all up to the indivudal
this isnt what i'm taking about... i'm refering to the ones behind the brakes... :rofl: i dont want to put them between my rim and the brakes!:lol2:

I ripped mine off the front when I did my brakes. The back are still on. If you have to go through the trouble of making new ones and shit I would just leave them off.
have you seen any changes in this? i'm thinking this is what i will do, but i dont want to wear my CV boots or anything like that pre-maturly! (s/p?) not to mention if the shields are functional, then i will just have to fab some up... but if its not worth it, then why bother?

Mine rusted off. Some are completely off, except for the back, others have holes from rust all over them and fall apart more and more each time I do brakes. I don't think they're important.

Mine rusted off. Some are completely off, except for the back, others have holes from rust all over them and fall apart more and more each time I do brakes. I don't think they're important.
lol everyone is saying the dont think they are important! lol then why are the even their!?!?! :confused: has anyone been running w/o dust shields for alot of miles on the street? like 20+k??? i would be interested in hearing your views... also, silver, did you notice a large increase in brake dust on/around your rims/control arms after removing them? or does everything seem just about the same?

Easy solution to brake dust... Drive through a puddle.

I would take them off and leave them off. I hate them, and I would think they only protect the bearings. I doubt your boot would be affected.


LOL, that link had me on the floor rolling.

Easy solution to brake dust... Drive through a puddle.
well that doesnt solve shit! then my BLACK car is all dirty! i'll just wash the bitch!

[QUOTE=JoeShmoe]I would take them off and leave them off. I hate them, and I would think they only protect the bearings. I doubt your boot would be affected.[QUOTE]
IMO the bearings are probably just as important to my car as the CV boots... i could be wrong though ...lol yeah...

EDIT: does anyone have any proof that without dust shields, no harm is done? or proof that the shields are needed?

Mine have been off for about 30k. I beleive that are suppose to keep dirt and shit from the rotors. I haven't noticed any changes at all.

Ya I read somewhere that they're mostly for off-roding, so when rocks, dust goes flying up in your wheel-well, it doesn't fall on the rotor or get between the pad and the rotors.

Ya I read somewhere that they're mostly for off-roding, so when rocks, dust goes flying up in your wheel-well, it doesn't fall on the rotor or get between the pad and the rotors.
:iagree:

Just take them off. They're like mudflaps, they're helpful, but not a necessity.

awesome! thanks to all! ;)

nothing like saving the trouble of making new ones... anyone know of a easy way to get the back ones off? (spot welded) the fronts are just a 10mm bolt... easy enough... but the back? try no to scratch anything!