Disc brake shields: needed or needless?

[tomatoes4all]

Hello all,
A daily annoyance is having to pry small pieces of gravel from between the disc and the protected shield, as I do a lot of unpaved driving daily. Can I just remove these shields or do they have a use that I am yet to learn? Thanks, PJ.

[Don 130]

The rears on mine cracked with the vibration, so I tossed them years ago. nothing has exploded since:)
Don.

[Bearman]

Hello all,
A daily annoyance is having to pry small pieces of gravel from between the disc and the protected shield, as I do a lot of unpaved driving daily. Can I just remove these shields or do they have a use that I am yet to learn? Thanks, PJ.

Not really needed for black top driving but they do serve a purpose offroad in shielding the rotor from mud and water and consequent warping of the rotor. Your decision.

[rick130]

I installed new ones on my 130 years ago as the rear discs copped an absolute pasting from gravel and shale and rocks.

[tomatoes4all]

Thanks for your opinions, I'll keep them on and clean them when needed.
Cheers, PJ.

[4runnernomore]

Nugget makes a stiffening mod to help prevent the cracking if that helps.

Cheers, Chris

[Bushie]

hey broke off my 1976 Rangie in 1985 near Birdsville, they were still off when I traded it in 1998, didn't notice any detrimental effects.
They haven't broken off the defender yet (roads must be getting better :D)


Martyn

[manic]

Haven't had them on the front discs for years. Done 1000's of kms high speed gravel and all good. No more trapped stones.