Heat Shield Front Brakes

[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....

[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

[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.

[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

[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?

[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

[swingn]

Trieu, I think we have the same brakes guy

[drndrn]

You could always drill holes into it to provide better ventilation while still protecting your rotors from rocks and debris? Just an idea.

[Sentinel]

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!

[WhiteGTB]

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.

[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.

[Sentinel]

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!!

[drndrn]

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.

[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.