Front brake backing plate with Willwood brakes.

[Clyde's Keeper]

Fitting the brakes to the hubs and verified the discs hit the backing plates, then against my better judgement, I consulted the included instructions, they state the backing plates must be trimmed to about 6 1/2" in diameter by a professional machinist. It seems to me after trimming there is not much backing plate left and it also appears this would remove the mounting holes needed to attach them, and thirdly, there doesn't seem to be much point in having them any more after trimming except maybe to keep dust out of the bearing. I am inclined just to leave them off entirely. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Robert

[SixStar]

I scrapped mine. You will want to make a heat shield for the outer rod ends.

64526

[FFRSpec72]

I have the Wilwood 4 piston calipers/rotor and my shields fit w/o any altering, I'm using 2002 spindles.

64538

[phil1734]

Are you sure it's not supposed to be 6.5" radius?

Even so, a backing plate that doesn't closeout the wheel isn't going to do much good against debris lodging between the caliper and rim, but will block off any extra cooling air flow you might be able to benefit from by removing it entirely.

[FFRSpec72]

Are you sure it's not supposed to be 6.5" radius?

Even so, a backing plate that doesn't closeout the wheel isn't going to do much good against debris lodging between the caliper and rim, but will block off any extra cooling air flow you might be able to benefit from by removing it entirely.

Not really, plus it gives you a place to mount air duct if you want

[phil1734]

Not really, plus it gives you a place to mount air duct if you want

Most OEM backing plates don't have duct attachment points. If we want to make custom ones as recommend above that's another story.

[FFRSpec72]

Most OEM backing plates don't have duct attachment points. If we want to make custom ones as recommend above that's another story.

Most all backing plates have attachment points for hoses, you may have to do some fabrication. There is no issue using the backing plates causing heat on the track.

[longislandwrx]

I removed mine altogether and purchased a set of these:

http://www.lapponline.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_72_73&products_id=186

they bolt to the factory dust shield mounts.

64550

[SixStar]

ABS sensor cooler!

[longislandwrx]

ABS sensor cooler!

lol yup, plus it has a piece of rubber on there so the wire doesn't chafe. totally luxe.

[BrianToronto]

Do you have a picture of what this looks like on your 818? Where did you run the ducts to?