My front mudshields are now bereft of their ability to do any proper shielding, ventilated one might say. Is it worth trying to change them out? I'm not looking to make a lot of problems for myself by taking things apart which haven't been so in 20 years. I have a parts truck to practice on but I'm just wondering what you guys think of this rabbit hole. It would be primarily a cosmetic upgrade, I hate looking at the things in their current state.

 

if you can get the rusty bits apart, or remove flap frame completely, there are tons of aftermarket flappy flap folds and flap mounts out there, and some overpriced 'rover' flaps too....

 

Sorry, I meant these bits. Item 10 here.




I'm not bothered by removing the calipers and carriers, but undoing the hubs to get access to the mudshield securing bolts seems like it could bring on additional headaches. Or is that not necessary?

 

ahhhh!

so if the rotor shield is rusted out, likely the three bolts holding them in place will snap off on you. No biggie...you can weld a few new short stainless bolts head first to the knuckle and good to go if you want to replace the shields. Shields are not necessary, but do perform a valuable function. You can usually find excellent used ones off ebay...that's where I found mine.....

 

Good tips, thx. I have even looked yet, do the original bolts go through the shield into the knuckle? Meaning there will be bolt heads back there behind the hub somewhere?

 

Yes, they go into the knuckle and are 8mm if I remember right. Most of mine broke off but was able to get some out with heat. The hole goes through the knuckle so it was easy enough to drill them out and retap. I found a good used shield set on eBay as I don’t think you can get them new.

 

I generally remove and do not reinstall them. Follow your own judgement on this, but I've had more trouble with them catching rocks and mud than the lack of them has allowed.

 

Totally agree I've had way more issues with rocks, twigs, and heck even fishing line once getting between the back of the rotor/hub, and brake dust shield causing issues than without them . I don't have a single D2 with them installed, and I even removed them from my 95 D1 and 97 D1 and absolutely zero issues.

As a side note 99-04 4x4 Jeep WJ's did not have them on the front rotors from the factory. I saw an 06 LR3 not to long ago that had them rusting away worse than any RRC/D1/D90/D110/D2 I've ever seen. They removed the fronts, but had to replace the rear due to the Disk/Drum setup in the rear for the E-Brake.

 

Thanks guys, really appreciate the insight. Certainly cheaper that way as well! I'll see if I can remove them without any collateral damage in the process.