Anyone not running brake rotor dust shields?

If you have ever done the hub/bearings you’ll know why I ask.
I surely can’t be the only one that’s got it all back to gather, to find the caliper cutout 180° Off. (Backward).

Since, I’m about to do my hub assembly again.
I’ll probably remember this time.

I did question if they were “needed” during my little melt down.
I almost didn’t put them back on. LOL

Anyone NOT running rotor shields?

 

i didnt put them on. been running without for at least a year

 

I haven't used rotor shields in probably six to seven years? Never an issue. I forget they're supposed to be there unless someone mentions something.

 

I honestly cant even think of a valid reason for them to be on cars. I had a walnut get stuck and bounce around for a few days. That was annoying

 

Mine are pretty rusted but too expensive to replace, only place I could find that carries them is the dealer. I also noticed during hub assembly replacement, and thought about not installing them. Another reason ive heard to keep them on is to keep water splashing onto the rotors and cooling/ warping them. But it seems to me they would do a poor job of keeping the rotors dry and ive also read compelling arguments that warping rotors is a myth anyways.

but I’m not an engineer and if they were unnecessary you can reasonably bet that vehicle makers would drop them to save cost.

 

A walnut? How'd that happen?

 

eh i think they are still bs. google it and it says road grime and aesthetics. i can guarantee road grime is getting to the brakes/rotors through puddles and snow anyways

probably a squirrel

 

I know if you sink the front far enough down in mud, it all get muddy.
I don’t care to say it. I’m not a fan of mud. I learned the hard way.
I was pulling things apart for days dealing with that mess.

 

I always thought they help keep heat from the rotors from damaging the ball joint boots ?
Either way I would rather have them in place..

 

Took them off when I gusseted my spindles. No problems yet

 

I can’t say I’ve ever crawled up and felt the heat dissipation off the rotors.
But if there is enough heat to damage the ball joints, the brake components would be really hot.
Really really hot.

Always willing to admit when I do something stupid.
I have nearly burnt my finger by touching the rotor after stopping.
Why did I touch them, well it was curious.
Plus, when you are young. You tend to find things out the hard way.

Now that I’m older. I try to let others find out for me.
Then don’t do what they did.

 

They are there for a reason, or else car manufacturers wouldn't have used them since the first disc brakes in the 1960s. On tracked cars, rotors can get hot enough to glow red, ~1000F

 

Yes, I’ll run a NEW o-ring. Might as well get the 2 other dust seals as well.

 

Before removing the bolts of the bearing make a chalk line, or similar, on the shield
Inline with the vertical part of the knuckle.
Makes orientation easy.
I’ve done hundreds and have never made that mistake.
Most likely I would at some point without that.

Just an observation.
Without that shield the placement of the bearing is not where it was designed.
So the axle will ride that amount further away from the inner seal.
Does it make a difference?
Who knows.
I always use the shields however.
If they don’t want new shields and the shields are rusted to the point of crumbling,
I will cut the bad sections off and keep the shield section behind the bearing
And still install it.
But that’s just me.

 

only squares run dust shields.....