Thread: Rear Disc Guards

Ah, the old problenm from time immemorial.

The left one is cracked on my RRC and I have very inexpertly welded it. It is usually the left one that cracks for some reason.
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They do serve a purpose in keeping sand and crap off the disc and out of the caliper, so you can expect more disc wear and more pad wear without them.

It should be pretty cheap to have somone reinforce and weld them.
Regard sPhilip A

It's always been the first thing I remove on every disc braked rover I've had. Because they crack and despite the potential for more wear it's much easier to clean then out without having to resort to removing the wheels.

Hmm.
I left mine on my current car as after a trip to Fraser Island with my old 77 without guards, I completely ran out of the inner back pads and had to change them in Tewantin in the street.
And I am aware not to brake in sand .
My take was that the sand constantly blowing into the inner side of the disc just ground away the pad even though the brakes were not used much.

That is my experience anyway and why I fix em.
Regards Philip A

Thanks for the advice, it seems that there are quite polarised views on this matter but given that I am going to cross the Simpson on my next trip I am going to take your advice re sand wear on brakes. and have them welded up. Just a further question on this how do you get them off? I can see some bolts, but do you have to take the wheel and hub off to fully remove them?

all advice is much appreciated.

All the best
Regards Ken

No need to remove the wheel and hub, only about three small bolts on the guard/shield itself an it will lift off - should only take a minute or two to remove each one.

I must get to and repair the one I removed about 8 months ago .................. and check the other one for cracks while I'm at it.

Thanks for the reminder.

I put up a post on this a while ago recommending people check the guards as they crack. Also, my suggestion is to put a large washer under the head of the bolt to broaden the bearing area of the bolt on the guard and, hopefully, reduce the flexing of the guard and hence its cracking.

Leave them on, I too have experienced excessive inner brake pad wear by removing them, and why weld them??? They are cheap enough to buy new, less than $30 each IIRC. Not worth removing and welding them only to have them crack again.

JC

I'm also saying leave them off, BUT figure out a plan to safeguard the ABS sensor. I've lost 2 already in thick mud due to stones getting stuck there and damaging the sensors. Never thought its possible but its bloody expensive when it happens.

You can make a simple aluminium bracket preventing stuff to jam in between secured by the sensor bolts itself.