Rotor dust shields needed or not? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DetroitIron · 03-21-2014, 09:01 PM

Replacing front brake rotors on my 89 C1500 and the rotor dust shields are rotten....do I really need to replace or ok taking the jaked, rotten ones off and going without?

If I need to replace, where to purchase? Thanks

DetroitIron · 03-22-2014, 10:56 AM

After researching more, I could not find any info on the web....so I'm going to put my new rotors on withOUT the dust shields....let me know if you guys have any insight..

Cabnchassis · 03-25-2014, 12:49 AM

That truck only has rear wheel abs and the only two things I can think of are if it affected abs but thats a for sure no and then how much of the caliper and piston area did that shield protect? When I had the f/b on my cab and chassis I would have to stop at the scales and then they'd wave me around and chat with me every single time since I don't have CA numbers on it but it's capable of being a truck that requires them (anything 10k and up has to have a door sticker here in ca). I tried to just blow by and say I didn't think I had to stop but that still cost $160 for that ticket. The CHP out here have regular officers and then there is the truck cop and if the truck cop just wants to give you a ticket (you've met those type) he can probably come up with at least a couple violations, they're usually fix its but some things he can get you on good. Every light including aftermarket lights have to function or thats a violation, mud caking, open battery box on side bat trucks that kind of junk. On my truck if its muddy they check to make sure mud hasn't caked up and restricted the front brakes and they check to make sure I don't have mud building between my duals. I can't imagine them every looking at you're truck that closely but where there is smoke there is bound to be some fire so I'm guessing calipers getting mucked up and sticking aren't all that uncommon. Thats the only reason I can think of. I do occasionally have mud clodded up on the back of that shield on my gmt400 but only after I've been 4 wheeling.

OJ1988 · 03-29-2014, 04:11 PM

The shields that are mounted behind the rotor are actually for cooling. They direct airflow to the rotors.

Yes, they are needed.

DetroitIron · 03-29-2014, 09:11 PM

Thanks guys. Guess I need to locate a place to purchase dust shields.

03-21-2014, 09:01 PM	#1
DetroitIron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hudsonville, MI Posts: 179	Rotor dust shields needed or not? Replacing front brake rotors on my 89 C1500 and the rotor dust shields are rotten....do I really need to replace or ok taking the jaked, rotten ones off and going without? If I need to replace, where to purchase? Thanks __________________ _______________________________________________ 1985 Chevy Scottsdale K20 350 with 700R4 running 3.42 gearing aka "The Honey Badger" 1993 Silverado C3500 Ext. Cab Dually 6.5 turbo diesel

03-22-2014, 10:56 AM	#2
DetroitIron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hudsonville, MI Posts: 179	Re: Rotor dust shields needed or not? After researching more, I could not find any info on the web....so I'm going to put my new rotors on withOUT the dust shields....let me know if you guys have any insight.. __________________ _______________________________________________ 1985 Chevy Scottsdale K20 350 with 700R4 running 3.42 gearing aka "The Honey Badger" 1993 Silverado C3500 Ext. Cab Dually 6.5 turbo diesel

03-25-2014, 12:49 AM	#3
Cabnchassis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Redwood City Posts: 242	Re: Rotor dust shields needed or not? That truck only has rear wheel abs and the only two things I can think of are if it affected abs but thats a for sure no and then how much of the caliper and piston area did that shield protect? When I had the f/b on my cab and chassis I would have to stop at the scales and then they'd wave me around and chat with me every single time since I don't have CA numbers on it but it's capable of being a truck that requires them (anything 10k and up has to have a door sticker here in ca). I tried to just blow by and say I didn't think I had to stop but that still cost $160 for that ticket. The CHP out here have regular officers and then there is the truck cop and if the truck cop just wants to give you a ticket (you've met those type) he can probably come up with at least a couple violations, they're usually fix its but some things he can get you on good. Every light including aftermarket lights have to function or thats a violation, mud caking, open battery box on side bat trucks that kind of junk. On my truck if its muddy they check to make sure mud hasn't caked up and restricted the front brakes and they check to make sure I don't have mud building between my duals. I can't imagine them every looking at you're truck that closely but where there is smoke there is bound to be some fire so I'm guessing calipers getting mucked up and sticking aren't all that uncommon. Thats the only reason I can think of. I do occasionally have mud clodded up on the back of that shield on my gmt400 but only after I've been 4 wheeling.

03-29-2014, 04:11 PM	#4
OJ1988 Just a car guy Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 991	Re: Rotor dust shields needed or not? The shields that are mounted behind the rotor are actually for cooling. They direct airflow to the rotors. Yes, they are needed. __________________ 1955 belair Blown Pro Street cruiser 1971 Camaro Pro Touring 1973 Vega Drag Car 1970 C20 tow rig

03-29-2014, 09:11 PM	#5
DetroitIron Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hudsonville, MI Posts: 179	Re: Rotor dust shields needed or not? Thanks guys. Guess I need to locate a place to purchase dust shields. __________________ _______________________________________________ 1985 Chevy Scottsdale K20 350 with 700R4 running 3.42 gearing aka "The Honey Badger" 1993 Silverado C3500 Ext. Cab Dually 6.5 turbo diesel



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.