Does the wheel hub/bearing have to come out if I'm replacing the front rotor splash shields? Was hoping they wouldn't and that it's pretty much a rotor replacement job + a couple of extra bolts.

Dealership wanted $400....I thought that was absurd. But if the hub has to come out, maybe that might explain why the price was so crazy. One shield can be had for $25...

#11/12 below:

 

you dont even need that shield.

bend it back in place, or remove it all together.

 

I can't remember but I removed both of mine for better rotor cooling. I had a lot of before temperatures to compare to and you might be surprised at how much cooler the rotors run without that shield. Unless you live in a very rainy/muddy/snowy area you don't need it. Even for a rainy area you really don't need them.

I remember the bolts to take them off after removing the rotor but I vaguely remember having to cut a small piece of the shield to remove them too.

I bent my rear ones out away from the rotors. I wasn't feeling up to cutting them and they can't be removed due to the ebrake.

 

I cant remember either, but from the diagram it looks like once you take off rotor, there will be a few bolts holding the shield in place

 

Problem is I think the hub is blocking the shield.

 

Yeah the bolts from the diagram look easy to get at, but if the hub is blocking the shield, it'll be a bigger job. Rather keep them on since this car sees Chicago weather.

The problem is they're making an annoying squeaky rubbing sound. They were pretty bent a couple months ago, I bent them back, but now they're rubbing again. Just trying to see if replacing them is worth it. But if I have to get the hub & bearing pressed/etc...I'll just say screw it & try to bend them again (til the next time)....

 

Why are they bending?

 

The front-end was resting on them one morning...

 

That sucks. Once you get them off the rotor once you should be good. I don't know why they would start rubbing again short of a loose rim or worn pads. Do they do it worse when the brakes are hot? I'm just wondering if the shields are very close to the rotor and the slight rotor expansion causes it to rub. Regardless, I doubt you will have any farther problems once you bend them again.

 

It's a couple phillips head screws holding them in and yah they're blocked most of the way by the spindle.

If you were going to replace the shield you'd need to get the spindle off, which translates to replacing the wheel bearing and getting re-aligned.

If you were going to remove them you'd have to take off the wheel/brake/rotor and then try to get those phillips screws out. You can mostly get on them, but not very well so it could be tough to get them out. Then just cut a section in front to break the circle and bend it/peel it off the knuckle.

Mine are bent like crazy, I've been debating taking them off too. I always just bend them back. Annoying if it rattles though. I already chopped the front when I put extended studs in front, I should just take them off :P

 

Yep, rubbing is more noticeable once the brakes warm up, but it only rubs over bumps (where I think the camber slightly changes at that instant).

I've got no problem getting them off by cutting or whatever; but if I have to cut, that tells me installation would be impossible without getting the hub out. So this pretty much tells me to wait for a bad bearing if you plan on replacing the rotor shields....

Thanks for confirming mzilvar...mine do rattle, and after one hour of stop & go traffic, squeak like crazy (to the point where pedestrians turn their head to see what that awful sound is)...

Brakes are at about 1/4 thickness, was gonna hit them before winter. Might just do them now & bend the shields again.

Thanks I hate cars, mzilvar, & justnspace. I have the info I need.