Disc brake backing plates

[Gray035]

I'm working on doing the all ford parts disc brake swap on my Dana 44 and I'm wondering if anyone has left the backing shields off? Is there any downside to doing it that way? I can picture it being a benefit for muddy conditions.

 

[garberz]

I took mine off, they tend to trap more stuff than keep stuff out.

 

[bronconut73]

I took mine off, they tend to trap more stuff than keep stuff out.

Yea Man, I have heard alot of these old timers on here say this. I have also heard you'll have less brake dust on your wheels too.

 

[Doyle]

None on mine.

 

[bmc69]

Yea Man, I have heard alot of these old timers on here say this. I have also heard you'll have less brake dust on your wheels too.

I've heard that said many times..but could never notice the difference on any of mine. ?:?

 

[Apogee]

I have them on my F150...don't on my EB...no noticeable difference in performance, although I have gotten gravel and crap stuck in there on occasion which can be quite irritating.

 

[00gyrhed]

I have run them both ways and the only reason I have them on my Bronco conversion is that I wanted it to look like factory discs. Not sure why that was important at the time.

Doing a D60 swap on my sons F250 and I tore them up getting the spindles out but didnt care since I didnt intend to put them back anyway. I drove a 55 chevy that I made the conversion for and used it for over 100K miles and never had an issue related to not haveing the shield or brake dust on the wheels.

I have often wondered why the auto makers spend the extra money to put them on anyway. Like was said above they seem to cause more issues than they prevent. I guess they offer some protection from damage to the rotors but they are usually so flimsy I cant imagine that its worth the expense.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Leaving them off here as well. Both front and rear Ford discs

 

[Gray035]

If I leave them off, do I need to include something to keep the spacing? The backing plat is fairly thin but it's in the middle of everything.

 

[garberz]

The caliper slides back and forth on the bracket, so the spacing doesn't matter.

 

[Skiddy]

wish mine were off, got a rock wedged in there once and took me a little while to figure what the heck was making that sound%)

 

[rjlougee]

I never put them in on the front conversions I do. On the back, I usually put them in if using the Explorer type disks, since the E-brakes are a drum style inside the rotor hat. Gotta keep the crap out.
Joe