Brake disc backing plate (drum brake backing plate) for your car

Brake disc mudguard – absolutely necessary? The brake disc mudguard internally protects the brake disc, preventing the spraying of grit or water against the brake disc. For reasons of weight this metal sheet is thin. Over time it corrodes and must be replaced. Unfortunately this is unavoidable as the absence of a mudguard constitutes a deficiency at general inspection. But there are other manifest reasons for installation of this mudguard. Brake discs under strain Brake discs consist of several millimetres of solid steel. Apart from the simple and cheap solid brake disc, ventilated brake discs are available. They are thinner, but in the thermic sense better balanced. The temperature changes are the most important challenge for the brake disc. When braking, the brake linings grind against the rotating discs with high pressure. This generates a friction heat of several hundred degrees Celsius. If at the same time cold water splashes against the brake disc, the disc can develop fissures. Once cracked, the disc cannot be repaired. Sooner or later it will break, which leads to a dangerous driving situation. In order to prevent this, as well as grit clogging between disc and linings, mudguards are installed. Replacing mudguards Every tyre change is an excellent occasion to check the brake disc mudguards. If these metal sheets are corroded or cracked at one screw corner they will make themselves heard by rattling. It is better to preventively replace the mudguards. In case of advanced corrosion, unscrewing the bolts will be more difficult. In most cars, the ideal moment for removal is the occasion of brake disc replacement. Most work has already been done anyway and access to the mudguards is easy. Generally, they are fastened with two or three bolts. If the bolts are too tight, some WD-40 or in the worst cases a bit of heat can help. No open flames should be used, but a blow dryer. Using a blow dryer it is important not to singe plastic or rubber parts. Especially the brake hoses should be checked after these repairs. Costs for mudguards What applies to the exhaust, goes for the brake disc mudguards as well: as a manufacturer, you have the choice between expensive but durable variations or shaping the car as profitable as possible. In case of these cheap, easy-to-replace metal sheets there is no reason for using expensive stainless steel plating. The mudguards are very cheap, however there are differences in quality. The differences lie mainly in the exact fit and the corrosion protection. For very cheap anonymous offers it is often necessary to adjust the drill holes for the bolts and to level the metal with a couple of well-directed hammer strokes. Otherwise, the metal may grind against the brake disc. Not only is this an unpleasant sound, it prematurely wears down the disc as well as the mudguard. Furthermore all cheap offers have a mere black cover paint, offering limited protection against corrosion. Instead of a 5-6 euro (£4-5) black-lacquered metal sheet, we recommend a galvanised version from a branded manufacturer. These are only marginally more expensive, but last considerably longer. Generally, there are no problems with the right fit for these more high-grade designs. Complete check with every brake repair On occasion of every brake repair it is recommended to check all connected components as well. Repair of a brake must go hand in hand with a check of brake fluid, brake hoses & lines as well as the wheel-brake cylinders. The brake lines should have no corrosion scars, the hoses should show no cracks, the brake fluid should be checked on moisture content. If it is already green, it should be replaced immediately. This is also a perfect occasion to check the axle boots, wishbone arms, shock absorbers and steering mechanism as well. Early detection of damage avoids nasty surprises during driving.