Dust shields, yay or nay?

[Spas]

Does anyone here take off their brake dust shields..? I've heard good and bad about doing so.. I'm just curious because my rusty old Waggy ones broke off when I was trying to hammer them back into shape (axle was sitting in a barn and belonged to a really stupid kid who threw it around instead of gently picking it up : ) For those who don't know, the brake dust shield is part of the caliper mount, so I kinda need them. I'm just debating if it's worth buying a new pair

 

[Stic-o]

Tossed them Although I still have them for the rear discs, but I'm not sure if you can get rid of them with the parking brake stuff in there.

 

[Burns]

i kept mine but i do not see a reason why you would have to keep them

 

[IAmTodd]

What are the disadvantages of getting rid of them? I have overheating issues and I'd think getting rid of them would help cool them?

 

[redranger4.0]

spas, my waggy d44 had them i jsut ground them off cuase they were rusted to hell. i asked this question a while back on another forum, and they all told me they arent needed. in fact wheeling its better to not have them cause they pick up a lot of crap and kinda funnel it toward the bearings. i just ground where they were down so its flat so i have just the caliper mount

 

[Spas]

Ranger, I've heard that argument too.. but I've also heard that they provide at least a little protection from stray rocks and twigs and such. I think I'll just put the axle back together the way it is and see how things go. If it becomes an issue, THEN I'll order new shields.

 

[Blee1099]

Just like Porter and I told you, toss them, you'll have issues with mud & stuff getting in between the shields & the rotor.. If you like I can just take the D44 from you.

 

[Spas]

Just like Porter and I told you, toss them, you'll have issues with mud & stuff getting in between the shields & the rotor.. If you like I can just take the D44 from you.

Yeah, like THAT'll happen :

 

[RockRanger]

I never ran the on my dana 35. My 44 has them only because they were in good shape. Eventually I willprobably just cut them off.

 

[DeRocha]

I haven't had em since I restore my D35 several years back.. At the time I stopped by a dealer to get new ones as mine had rust through in several places. The parts guy said the computer indicated they weren't needed and there was no replacement # for them.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

I haven't had them on my front since 2002. The disadvantage is squeeky brakes until the dust burns/clears off. Other than that, no other probs.