difference between dust shield and backing plate

[green73brc]

I am looking into doing the chevy disk brake conversion and I am buying a "dust shield" Is this the same thing as a backing plate? I am a little confused about this. I have read the articles and no one mentions anything about a dust shield. So are they the same thing? Will I need to get a backing plate if I have a dust shield?

 

[BamaBronco73]

A dust shield is different from a backing plate. The backing plate holds the caliper.
A dust shield is used to keep the dust from the pad friction on the rotors off of your wheels. Personally I would not want the dust shield.
You must have the backing plate, but a dust shield is optional.
This is my understanding, though terminology often gets confused. Hope this helps....

 

[green73brc]

So what are the physicall characteristics between a dust shield and a backing plate... to me a plate means it would look something like a shield so how can I tell the difference... I am thinking hopefully jeepster will have some pics.... you are good at that jeepster..

 

[rstgermaine]

The backing plate is about 1/4 inch thick and goes between the knuckle and the spindle. It serves as the anchoring point for the caliper-there is no way to hav the brakes function without it. The dust shield is made from sheetmetal (about 18-20 gauge) and also goes between the knuckle and the spindle and is entirely optional. With the dust shield in place you will not be able to see the disk rotor from behind the front wheel (as when the wheel is turned all the way to one side). The dust sheild does dress it up a little, but if you wheel in the woods or in thick brush you run the risk of debris getting lodged betwwen it and the rotor.

 

[BamaBronco73]

I suggest that you give me your disk brakes and I will send you my drums!!!! ;D

Good luck! You will be able to tell the difference...just look for caliper mounting on the backing plate.

 

[BlackHorse]

You are getting a mixture of Chev and Ford info here. Your topic is Chev brakes so I will stick to that. On the Chev stuff people somtimes call the "backing plates", that's really a drum brake term, dust sheilds. I would call them caliper mounting brackets. Now There are a few different looking Chev brackets that work for this conversion. Some have a sheet metal dust sheild welded to the bracket. If you get used brackets many times you will not find the sheild attached. Who cares, you don't need the sheild to do the install unless you just want it. I hope this helps. Peace!