Brake Backing Plate

[Daveyboy1983]

Ok so when I took the front suspension of my truck apart 3 months ago I took the backing plates/dust shields off the spindles so I could have everything sand blasted and now I have made a couple of problems for myself...

One: Rookie mistake I forgot which way the plates go back on lol So does anyone have a pic or could tell me which position the hole in the plate goes is it towards the top or bottom of the spindle?...

Two: There was a rubber gasket that went between the backing plates and the spindles and now I have lost them both (I wanted to replace them anyway they were falling apart) but what are they called exactly? And I went to a couple of parts stores and tried to describe what I was looking for and they both told me I was crazy basically so any help would be great thanks...

[Tx Firefighter]

The holes go down. They are for the lower control arm edge to have clearance. You will also note that the large cut out goes toward the back of the truck. This is where the brake caliper goes.

You're gonna be out of luck on the little rubber gasket deals. Just put a nice little bead of silicone around the spindle and bolt the plates into place. The silicone will substitute nicely.

[motornut]

might help

[Daveyboy1983]

That did help guys thanks a lot for the input I didn't even think of just using silicone for the backing plates thanks again

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by motornut

might help

Holly Cow man you don't have to worry about those parts rusting!
Is that what 500,000 miles looks like?

[Daveyboy1983]

I also forgot to mention that I have the front of the truck lowered 4.5 inches 2.5 drop spindle and cut coils and should I even bother running the backing plates?
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[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by Daveyboy1983

Two: There was a rubber gasket that went between the backing plates and the spindles and now I have lost them both (I wanted to replace them anyway they were falling apart) but what are they called exactly? And I went to a couple of parts stores and tried to describe what I was looking for and they both told me I was crazy basically so any help would be great thanks...

Gasket, Steering Knuckle to Front Brake Flange Plate -> GM P/N: 3966202

Good luck in your search.

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by Daveyboy1983

I also forgot to mention that I have the front of the truck lowered 4.5 inches 2.5 drop spindle and cut coils and should I even bother running the backing plates?
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Dude, I wasn't gona say but now that you mention it.
I havn't used the front (or rear) brake rotor dust shields for 13 years.
That is on 2 trucks, a 74 C10 and my current 85. Both lowered.
I think one function has to do with keeping water from the rotors and it almost never rains here. When it has I have never had any problems not running them
When you don't have inner fenders it looks cooler too.
I don't use the rears either.

[rusty76]

Not used on race cars either. Motorcycles don't have either, I do believe. Most hot rods I've seen don't use'em, espeacially open wheeled. I'm curious to if you need'em or not.

[homemade87]

I always thought they were for helping keep mud splash from collecting in the rotor and also from keeping something from wraping around the rotor incase you run over something that had that potential. I don't think they were for rain.

If Keith is watching maybe he can inform us.

[bigd65]

They keep the junk out of the brakes. However, ALOT people do away with them if the vehicle is NOT a daily driver. Then you would be more apt to avoid potholes full of mud and water, or running over things on the road.... If I your truck is a daily driver, I would recommend putting them back on, it's your brakes !!!!!
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[wraprail]

I have never got anything in my brakes besides air and my truck is my only automobile so I drive it everyday and often.
Maybe they improve air flow?

[Daveyboy1983]

Well I don't see the harm in running them especially when I've already blasted and painted them lol
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[homemade87]

The other thing that came to mind is if you were running 70mph on the interstate and run over a tractor trailer tire and got the steel cord wound around the spindle and locked up one wheel at 70mph. Would not be a good day. Whats the chances of that happing . Although people do win the lottery.

[Daveyboy1983]

The odds of me locking up a wheel at 70mph are probably better haha!
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[Tx Firefighter]

I can't tell you an educated reason as to why the GM engineers put them on the truck, but I guarantee you they had a very good reason. You know how manufacturers are, they aren't gonna spend a single cent on something without a good reason. Think of all the millions of these trucks they sold and how many dollars they spent putting the two shields, six bolts, and two dust seals on each truck over the years.

I've run both cars and trucks without them and never had any problems, but those were aftermarket Mustang II set ups and I never had them to start with. If I'd had them, I'd have installed them.
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[wraprail]

I do agree with TX totally.
I Don't use them cuz when I open my hood they look like crap. (No inner fenders)
There, I said it!
Looks more better without