Brake Dust Shields - Any issues with removal/drastic trimming?

[duste]

Anyone ever gone over the pits without brake dust shields? Did they kick up a fuss? I can't find any mention in the NCOP.

I was aiming to retain them for the 100% factory fitment appeal, however it would seem these specific SL500 brake dust shields I have may be ever-so slightly different in profile to those on the SL600 Silver Arrow Edition which my brakes are from. I am retaining the ABS sensors, so I would be trimming the shield such that the sensor and teeth were still protected.

I have found another part number in the Mercedes EPC that may work, but unfortunately there's no specific designation for the Silver Arrow Edition of the SL600 so it's a bit of a gamble - they may fit, they may not.

[31-EVO]

You mean the ones that cover the back side, or slip on like the falcons have that cover the front side of the rotor ?

Either way, I don't think so

[joshg123]

Its gone both ways for me, usually dont have a issue but have been pulled up on it once.

[duste]

The ones that cover the back-side.

Had three interferences:
1) Brake rotor would scrape upon rotation. Was able to fix this by flexing the shield a little, however I've still only got 1mm or less clearance at this point.
2) Brake caliper could not be mounted. Was able to fix this by, again, flexing the shield a little, but it's still touching the caliper - no clearance.
3) Lower control arm could not and cannot be mounted. There's simply not enough room to get the ball-joint in between the shield and the knuckle. I could install the LCA first, then the shield, however I'm then concerned with the ball-joint pushing against the shield at certain suspension extensions/compressions and pushing it in to the rotor (as it's coincidentally the same location that was scraping on the rotor initially) - unless this is the standard procedure? Mechanics halp!

I'll try the above option first, then if that fails I'll trim them, and either look at getting the replacement shields in future before pits, or just run the gauntlet. At least the front shields can be replaced without pressing out wheel bearings, unlike the rears, which I've not checked clearances with yet...

[31-EVO]

I had to cut mine on my old 31 to fit brembos and before it came off the road it was inspected as I was going to engineer it with the motor and brakes etc, and it was never brought up in the report or anything of the likes.

Also in saying that, I may have been lucky, as I had a wrangler come in with a brake upgrade, and they had to cut their front shields, and it came in to use to have the stock brakes put back on, along with new shields as it was picked at the inspectors.

I'd really say it's the luck of the draw mate, I personally wouldn't give a shit, but thats not how most inspectors roll

[Brett_J]

Ask Brockas if he had an issue, I seem to remember he took a pic of me butchering his GTR's ones with a grinder shooting sparks everywhere.

[DISTRBD]

I had a wrangler come in with a brake upgrade, and they had to cut their front shields, and it came in to use to have the stock brakes put back on, along with new shields as it was picked at the inspectors.


Was it because of the stone gaurd missing or the fact they changed the brake set upwith out having it approved ?

[31-EVO]

Got stickered for tint and wheels sticking out of the flares. Brakes were picked up at the pits for simple fact the sheilds had been cut, and there was no paper in the vehicle to say the upgraded brakes were ADR approved from what I got out of the customer *shrugs*

[Lukey]

I cut the dust shields off my surf few years back. Went over the pits about two weeks ago and nothin was said. They did pick a suspension bush right near it so not as if they didnt look around the area.

With mine i couldnt just remove as it affects the way the hub goes back together. Just had to cut most of it of and leave a ring the same diameter as the other components each side of it

[duste]

Just in case anyone else ever attempts a similar swap - I've just spoken to one of the guys in the US who, in a way, "pioneered" this swap for the W124s and W201s. The correct procedure, assuming LCAs and struts are already bolted to car, is to bolt the bare knuckle (no dust shields, no wheel hub) to the LCA+strut, then attach the dust shield, then the hub, then the rotor and caliper, etc. There will be an air gap of ~2mm between the ball joint/LCA and the dust shield, and another ~2mm between the dust shield and the rotor. It is impossible to install the ball joint/LCA while the dust shield is attached to the knuckle.

No trimming required!

I've mocked up the rears as well, however, and they do require trimming - about 5-10mm either side of where the caliper mounts. Very minimal and shouldn't cause any concern at pits.