oofer

The back plate to my 95 ls 400 recently came off as I switched from winter to summer tires. The back plate is a sort of flat rounded piece of metal that shields the disk and caliper from rocks and derbris. I was told by my mechanic that it's an expensive part and expensive to install (supposedly the whole wheel assembly would have to be taken apart). He assured me that my car can do without this part. All the back plates on my car are starting to go as they are falling victim to the 6 month winters we have up here in Canada. What do you guys think? Anybody know exactly how much they cost?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the back plate? you mean the metal disk behind the rotor? (the shield)

if so then yea, you can go without it, the part is cheap from most salvage yards tho and isnt difficult to install.

Rocan

You can go without it, but it allows rust to get on the car more easily. Ive made them out of sheet metal for very cheap though... or do what PD said, salvage yard.

DIY LS400

How did it fall off when you were swapping wheels?

19psi

you can go without it. it's main job is to keep mud and water from getting on your rotors and calipers. to install a new one you'd have to press the hub out of hte bearing so you can slide the shield onto the mountng surface behind teh hub. once you're done there, you' d have to buy and install a new bearing since anytime you press the hub out, it splits and ruins it. so yeah, it's expensive to replace because of the labor involved.

Rocan

Ok, because of 19psi's post im confused... Can you get a pic of it?

oofer

It wasn't the swapping of tires that caused it to fall of but all the years/winters and salt and grime had degraded the piece to the point of it dangling and causing a raucous.
Thanks for all your input concerning the shield/backplate protecting the rotors and brakes. My mechanic also said it wasn't really necessary nor worth putting on a 13 year old car. I still want to have one installed, but I guess I have to be patient and wait to see if a salvage tard comes across one.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

the plate directly behind the rotor.