Replace front brake dust shield, 4WD

Anyone know how to replace front brake dust shield without removing the hub?

I was going to replace them while doing the front brakes, but, genius that I am, did not realize the hole in the shields is much smaller than the outer diameter of the hub. I should have known that after replace the rear backing plates when doing the rear bearings couple years ago.

Without removing the hub, one choice seem to be, cutting a small piece out of the new ones on the front edge where it is narrowest and trying to flex it over the hub. I guess I could try that on the old ones to see if they come off that way, but as they are weak and thin from rust, it might not be a good test.

The other choice seems to be leaving the old ones on until it is time to change the CV axles or wheel bearing.

A lot of shops around here say they just cut them off and be done or let them rot off.

 

I found this where one guy just cut the new ones in half: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/replacing-rotted-dust-shields.301192/

Anyone?

 

If you want to replace rotted dust shields without removing the hubs, this is the way.

 

I'm wondering if removing them entirely will help aid in better cooling.

 

I went that way. Problem now is that one of the 4 bolts on the right side snapped without a hint after all the others were very reluctant. Figures. I am not confident one bolt on that half will hold. Right now I am struggling to try and get the remaining bolt out. It is almost flush with the spindle face. I have have small oxy-acetylene "jewelers" setup that I can get right on the bolt. Waiting for it to cool down now.

No room to get a drill on it. Looks like I could remove a wheel lug and drill through that hole pretty much straight in. Now gotta look up how to get those out. Done it before, with broken ones, but don't recall how I did it.

 

I'm with @Taco critter I cut mine off too.