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Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:36 pm
by WhiteGTB
Hey guys, hoping to find some answers regarding this heat shield.
When you remove the wheel or even with it fitted, just behind the rotor on the inside there is a metal heat shield.
Has anyone removed this? I've been told on the STi's (WRX) it just bolts off, where as with our cars it's part of the strut or something like that and needs to be cut out.
Talking to my "brakes" guy, he said it traps too much heat if you are on the track and can cause some damage....

Posted:
Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:42 pm
by tangcla
You could, but I think it is also there to deflect stones and other debris...
Then again, if you track it, then you're less likely to hit gravel and whatnot


Posted:
Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:59 pm
by drndrn
Patrick (pplwu) has removed it. I bought his stock GT brakes off of him after he changed to brembos and he included it with it, although it was really no use beacuse to put it back on you have to weld it. Luckily my original ones still fit.
I don't realy know what it's there for though.

Posted:
Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:17 am
by smythie
maybe to retain a little heat for those times when you haven't been on the brakes for a while. For track purposes it probably isn't necessary but for general road duties it doesn't hurt anything and most likely will be beneficial for you on occasion
Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:35 am
by suff
Just a thought, but is it there to reduce the chance of splash back of water onto the rotor? Surely quenching a hot rotor in cold water must promote warping?
Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:41 pm
by swingn
Heat shields are generally there to retain heat IE in colder climates.
Generally speaking, with Aussie being rather warm, they aren't required... Now whether they provide some protection from rocks etc etc etc, I'm not sure, but there are a lot of people who have removed them

Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:42 pm
by swingn
Trieu, I think we have the same brakes guy


Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:54 pm
by drndrn
You could always drill holes into it to provide better ventilation while still protecting your rotors from rocks and debris? Just an idea.
Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:48 pm
by Sentinel
drndrn wrote:You could always drill holes into it to provide better ventilation while still protecting your rotors from rocks and debris? Just an idea.
Not a bad idea Darren!

Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:57 pm
by WhiteGTB
Sentinel wrote:drndrn wrote:You could always drill holes into it to provide better ventilation while still protecting your rotors from rocks and debris? Just an idea.
Not a bad idea Darren!

Yeap, that's what I'll be doing. Thanks guys.
Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:56 pm
by senator
i think you should leave the heat shield as they a IMO
from my experience drilled rotors and small rocks do not mix, even on the track.
Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:41 pm
by Sentinel
senator wrote:i think you should leave the heat shield as they a IMO
from my experience drilled rotors and small rocks do not mix, even on the track.
Ah yes, the one and only rock in a rotor!!

Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:46 pm
by drndrn
Sentinel wrote:senator wrote:i think you should leave the heat shield as they a IMO
from my experience drilled rotors and small rocks do not mix, even on the track.
Ah yes, the one and only rock in a rotor!!

Valid point. Perhaps consider drilling smaller holes? Holes that are smaller than that of your cross drilled rotors. I'm sure any ventilation would be better than no ventilation.
Re: Heat Shield Front Brakes

Posted:
Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:04 pm
by WhiteGTB
The heat shield actually has vents in it to let some ventilation through, so it isn't completely blocked off. I had a look just recently.
I'll probably just drill some small holes to assist with the ventilation.