I've got a mangled shield behind one of my front rotors. I understand that they are probably not generally that useful except for possibly shielding components from heat/dust generated by the rotors or shielding the rotors from splashes. On the other hand, it seems that they would restrict airflow to the rotors. What do you guys think about removing those shields? Should I replace the damaged one instead?

 

Just get a new one. The part is like $15 retail.

 

If I'm not mistaken, you have to remove the front wheel bearing for access. The bearings typically wont survive removal and reinstallation, so make sure you have one on hand. It's a machine shop job unless you have a press.

 

Yeah, I haven't taken the wheel off to inspect, but I was starting to think that was the case. I'm getting a random pop/thump sort of sound sometimes when I brake. It seems like that shield may be hitting the caliper sometimes. I want to do the job right and since it looks like it's in pretty bad shape, I'd like to replace it.

What else is this going to entail? I'm pretty good with brakes but I have never delved any deeper into the bearings and hubs and such. I've been reading around a bit trying to understand how everything hooks together in there. If I'm understanding correctly, I'll need to remove the axle nut and then somehow the hub is going to come off but I'm not sure if it is pressed onto the bearing. Then it's my understanding that the bearings are pressed into the knuckle (if my terminology is right).

So I guess my main questions are:
Are the bearings pressed into both the hub and the knuckle, or just the knuckle?
How does one remove the knuckle, since I guess that will need to be brought to the machine shop?
The torque seems pretty high on that axle nut. Is removal and re-installation humanly possible without an impact wrench?

 

The hub presses into the bearing, the bearing presses into the knuckle and is also held by a snap ring. I personally think they're somewhat of a pain in the ass. If you take the whole knuckle to a garage or machine shop, the charge to have them just remove and install the bearing and hub is usually modest.

 

Are there any bearings that are better than OEM? Granted I have high miles, but I have replaced two of mine in the past year and I've never replaced bearings on any other car before.

 

Actually the vast majority of the time the hub can be taken out without damaging the bearing. I hear it can happen but frankly have never seen it happen.

You def need a professional w correct tools tho.

Marcus