My LR4 is constantly off road, in mud/sand, and I'm always getting stones stuck between the brake rotor and the cover. Yesterday, after a play down my local trails, I needed to fuel up and drive 5 miles to the nearest gas station. OMG, I quickly realized there were stones stuck in both rear rotor covers, the pitch of the screeching constantly changing (must have been pebbles) with road bumps and speed. You should have seen the looks of the gas station customers when I screeched my way to the nearest free pump. (LR just lost some potential customers lol)
So my question, has anyone removed their covers? After yesterdays symphony I'm considering removing them permanently.

 

Just remove the dust shields it's no big deal. Especially because you take this rig off road and are having an issue with rocks.

Providing the dust shields are not rusted out, I would suggest saving them because they're not a cheap part.
You will never put them back on, but if you sell the truck the new owner/buyer might ask where the dust shields are.
Then hand them the box and collect your $.

 

My LR4 is making the same noise after taking it through some mud puddles yesterday. What dust covers are you referring to? I am going to take the offending wheel off tomorrow and have a look.

Thanks!

 

Ugh.... I hate this issue. Normally they work out quickly after a few movements in reverse/forward. So never an issue for a couple years not until last week. I went through some really soupy mud that also had a really good mix of pea gravel - apparently. Ever since then its been the screech from hell on my front driver and sometimes rear driver. I have power washed it three times to work them out but even though debris makes its ay out the sound continues. Bearings are new but I did take a really hard hit on a hidden washout. So I cant rule out a blown bearing seal, but I doubt it. Anyway when I have free time I will remove the rotor and get em out. Tried flexing the shield but it was not enough to drop out whatever glacial deposit ended up in there. I agree that removing the dust shields may help, but it may also result in a lot more water splashing on the rotors which in turn could result in reduced braking. So I will leave mine on. Also the rear shields are not simply removed, a lot more work involved I think.

 

I wound taking it in to my local Indy mechanic. I was worried it was a hub or that I had damaged my brakes. Turned out it was just a stone stuck on the back side of the rotor. Asked him about removing the dust shields and he said they had already been removed?... Also said that the stone was bright as a new penny by the time he removed it.

I assume that had I jacked it up and removed the wheel I would’ve been able to locate and remove the stone but I would like to figure out a way to prevent this in the future as I’m planning some extended fishing trips. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.