Dust shields

[74goldtarga]

Do you guys leave the dust shields for your brakes on at the track? Do these perform some essential function that I haven't surmised? I would think that they interfere with brake cooling and should be removed. Any thoughts?

[Tom W]

Mine have been off for years. For a track only car, they serve no purpose.

[sfoster13]

Take them off, they reduce cooling.

[dmilzoff]

Do the Calipers and Rotors need to come off to remove the shields?

[moliver]

Yes, unless you are going to cut them off.

[74goldtarga]

I still drive my car on the street, but not much, and not in rain - I'm assuming the recommendation is still to remove them.

[tonythetarga]

Originally posted by 74goldtarga
I still drive my car on the street, but not much, and not in rain - I'm assuming the recommendation is still to remove them.

Yes. They are actually stone guards as I understand it. Unless you plan to rally drive the car along gravel laden roads, you will be just fine w/o them. I would remove the hub to get them off properly, clean them up and put them away for possible future reinstall.

[Chuck Moreland]

I believe their true purpose is heat shields. They help keep rotor heat out of the ball joint, tie rod, shock et al.

They probably also slow heat dissipation from the rotor somewhat.

So for a track car that is regularly inspected and service, it is beneficial to remove them. For a street car that you want to extend the life of the front suspension parts, leave them on.

[ttweed]

Originally posted by dmilzoff
Do the Calipers and Rotors need to come off to remove the shields?

It is not necessary to remove anything on the early cars to get the heat shields off. I have no experience with the later cars, but apparently, there is a possibility of bolts in the rear shield being put in "backwards", requiring caliper/rotor removal to get them out, as reported by Wil Ferch in this thread.

TT

[ttweed]

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
So for a track car that is regularly inspected and service, it is beneficial to remove them.

And required if you are installing a brake cooling kit, as the plenum and hose occupy the same space as the shields.

TT

[74goldtarga]

That is interesting Chuck, I hadn't thought about them shielding the suspension, but I think I'd rather have cool brakes. I will probably be going to a cooling kit at some point for the fronts.