Factory dust shields

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Oct 21, 2007 | 03:36 PM

SKS45

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Factory dust shields

Not to confuse anyone with the aftermarket ones referred to so much. 1994 F150 4x4 Supercab. Driving home yesterday I noticed a rubbing sound from the left front that eventually became a squeal. New truck to me but I've got all the paperwork indicating the pads and rotors up front were replaced less than 18,000 miles ago. So I'm thinking a frozen caliper that wore down the pad. Jacked it up today, and I did have a frozen caliper. Pads are still good. The squeal was the factory dust shield behind the rotor. It's rotted out and a piece was rubbing on the backside of the rotor. So my question is... What exactly are they for? I'm assuming to keep brake dust off of other areas. Local parts store doesn't carry replacements so it's going to be a Ford part. Second question... Can I run without them? And finally, the caliper piston was hung up. I used a c-clamp to compress it and it seems to work fine now. My thinking is that I should replace the caliper's anyways as the truck does have 110,000 on it and these were not replaced when the pads and rotors were replaced recently. Anyone disagree?

Thanks
Brett

Oct 21, 2007 | 07:52 PM

gnwalker

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From: Hedgesville WV

I'd leave the shields on just for peace of mind, replacing the calipers couldn't hurt

Oct 21, 2007 | 07:58 PM

alchymist

"Mifflin Clay"

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Mifflin, PA

Just a quick tip - if the same caliper hangs again, or a new one still hangs - change the rubber hose from the frame to the caliper. When it gets old the inner liner swells up and acts like a check valve - you can apply the brake, but it won't release. Might want to check them and if ratty looking change them anyway for peace of mind. Don't ask me how I know........

Oct 21, 2007 | 09:07 PM

SKS45

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Thanks guys.

The shields are shot and either have to be replaced or simply removed. I'll check out the dealer prices on them. I believe hoses were replaced when the brakes were done 18,000 miles ago. However, I'll have to check my records. I'll probably end up changing the calipers for peace of mind and maybe even ditch the pads and go back with ceramics. What the heck, my as well do it right the first time.

Brett

Last edited by SKS45; Oct 21, 2007 at 09:16 PM. Reason: punctuation and spelling

Oct 22, 2007 | 04:05 PM

SKS45

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Holy ripoff batman,

Went to the dealer today to price out new dust shields. 105.00 each for a piece of steel. At that price, I'll trim back the old ones to good metal and then replace them someday when and if I get into the rebuilding the front end. 210.00 can be better spent elsewhere on the truck at this point.

Brett

Nov 13, 2007 | 06:32 PM

alz

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2004

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From: Michigan

BroncoGraveyard has them. About $40 each. Still a little expensive but way better than dealer.

Nov 13, 2007 | 11:47 PM

PatsPOS

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From: Portage Twp, PA

Well, I'm certainly not advocating running without dust shields, but I lost the one on the right side of my F-150 about 30K miles ago due to rust, and I haven't had a problem. Also, gotta say it makes rotor and pad inspection a lot easier...can just crawl under the truck and take a quick look!

I've always thought dust shield was sort of a misnomer (although I use the phrase too)...I think the shield is more for keeping crap off the rotor and possibly jamming said crap between the rotor and the pad, rather than containing brake dust.

Pat