Brake dust shields play an important role in protecting the brake components. Without proper maintenance and troubleshooting, this is at risk of permanent damage.
So why does a brake dust shield make noise and how to fix it? If a worn-out dust shield comes in contact with the rotor, a scraping sound can be heard. To fix the problem, the brake rotor should be pulled away from the brake shields or the faulty dust shield should be replaced with a newer one.
In this article, we will talk about why your car’s brake dust shield is making noise and how to fix it. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
What is a Brake Dust Shield?
A wheel dust shield, often known as a brake dust shield, is a key component of the braking system. Typically, these are made out of aluminum. This component protects the drivetrain and suspension parts from the intense heat produced while braking.
However, its major function is to keep rocks and debris from becoming trapped inside or contacting the braking rotor. In addition to that, it protects the brake rotor from being splashed with water when driving.
Why Does A Brake Dust Shield Make Noise?
The brake rotor coming in contact with a faulty dust shield makes the noise. Faulty bolts, rust, debris, and stones can damage the dust shield. If a worn-out dust shield comes in contact with the rotor, a scraping sound can be heard. It also can come in contact with the rotor if the dust shield is bent.
How To Fix Brake Dust Shield?
To fix the problem, the brake rotor should be pulled away from the brake shields or a rusty dust shield should be replaced with a newer one. Replacing the dust shields is easy, and you can do it by yourself!
Follow the steps to replace them without a sweat!
- Step 1. Using a wheel wrench, remove the wheel
- Step 2. The caliper should then be removed using sockets and ratchets. Disconnect your mounting bracket and rotor next
- Step 3. Remove your brake line bracket and place it on the side
- Step 4. Unbolt the bolts that hold your backing plate to the axle
- Step 5. Remove the backing plate and the emergency brake cable. Finally, replace the old two-piece backing plate
- Step 6. Reassemble both sections from around the axle and replace all removed pieces
FAQs
In this section, we’ll try to answer some of the most frequent queries people have regarding brake dust shield noise.
Q: What does a brake dust shield cost?
Brake dust shields cost from $20-$25 each and $40-$50 a pair.
Q: Can you drive without a brake dust shield?
Your car can function without a brake dust shield. However, with time, it will surely lead to system failure.
Q: Do I need to replace the brake dust shield?
It depends on the condition of the dust shield. If it is worn out to the point other brake-related components are getting affected, you should replace the brake dust shield.
Q: What is the cost of dust shield replacement?
It will cost you around $300, including the price of a new dust shield.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about why brake dust shield makes noise and how to fix it. As we can see, it is very important to assess the current condition of the brake dust shield of a car. Because if it is worn out, it can lead to irreversible damage to every other brake component, eventually the whole car.
Therefore, cleaning the brake dust shield should be part of car maintenance. Regular checkups and replacing them if needed will help sustain the braking system of any car. So good luck and drive safe!
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