Brake Shields

[Rev_D21]

Keep them or lose them? I don't drive in mud or snow. Thoughts? I have it apart right now.

[seang]

I haven't had any problems with mine, but some off-roaders say to remove them.

[longtooth]

Keep them. They help keep water and debree from getting on your rotors which can cause lack of braking.

[RT22]

Not to mention if really hot and you hit a water puddle on the street they can crack a rotor, seen it happen.

[8v fury]

Keep them on, i have seen stuff get up there and cause some damaged.

[Rev_D21]

I guess I just don't see the difference. The way I see it is the outside face of the rotor is exposed to the elements, what's different about the inside face? Also; if it aided in heat dissipation why is not attached to the rotor? One more thing; if a rock hits the inside face of the rotor without the shield it will bounce off, chances increase that it can become wedged against the rotor with the shield in place. One last thought; the shield doesn't protect the rotor against water, without sealing in the rotor nothing can stop it from getting wet or hit by objects. The only thing I can think of for a reason to keep the shield would be to deflect heat away from the tie rod end and the ball joints. That alone is a compelling reason to keep em.

[longtooth]

They dont keep them water proof but protect againts splashing. The under side of the car is way more turbulant than the outside.

The the design also uses the wheel to protect the outside of the rotor. Evey try to thow something threw a moving fan? Same kind of concept.

But when it comes down to it its your rig. I know here it rains alot and there are alot of puddles here that would be too much of a hazzard.

One more thing. If they have a taper on them it could also be to grap air to dirvert to help cool when at hwy speeds.

[RT22]

I will defer to the nissan engineers LOL really they do not make em water proof but keep a large cold splash from hitting the rotor, as do the wheels. Like i said i have seen them crack without em, but hey it is your truck, do as you like. i do think they are there for a reason, to shield from major debri water splashes and to keep heat from the rubber parts on the other side. but again run em or not, your truck your headache if it does not work out well. I rode bikes for yrs and trust me a real hot rotor totally unprotected has 2 water issues, sudden temp changes, IE cracking and water soaking that will make braking very fun for a few seconds. Not until bikes drilled the solid rotors did the wet braking improve. And on a dirt bike you will see almost all come with plastic shields to cut down on dirt getting between rotors and pads. Just sayin. Nothing will make it totally safe but anything is better than nothing.

[RT22]

Also it shields the brake lines from rotor heat, keeps from over heating brake fluid as fast. Just another reason to add to the LIST. Like I said Nissan engineers did it for a reason as do all car manufacturers. Must be something to it.

[Rev_D21]

I see your point and it makes sense. I have read on other sites points for removing them. I would like more opinions regarding the trucks though. I have some time, I'm not putting the truck back together for a few days.

[RT22]

Thats cool, never hurts to get all sides and then decide. I see no real problem if you just remember they are off and drive accordingly. i just see no real reason to remove em unless cooling is a issue, if so i would fabricate some cooling ducts from flex pipe like racers do. get cool air in from a safe spot so water is not funneled in. maybe cut a couple of holes in the lower spoiler area and run some cooling ducts to the back side of the rotors. I know a few Z owners who did it cause they over heated the brakes easy from high speeds with such a heavy car. I know the guys with non turbos used turbo fascia and where the intercoolers slits were they put hosing to the back side of rotors and it helped a lot in cooling.