How To Guide Replacement of rear brake shields without removing hub and bearings.

[Kendo]

Started researching replacement of the rear brake shields without removing the hub and having to replace the bearings, found quite a few references to being able to cut the shield and fit it without having to carry out bearing replacement but nothing found to show how actually to do it. Couldn't find anything specific to the Z. I Sourced two rear shield of ebay, cost about £24 and measured metal thickness prior to installation and the new ebay items same thickness as original shields. Hence decided to attempt replacement and have documented as below.

Starting Point:

Remove two off 10mm Bolts:

Remove the parking brake support bracket:

Pull forward old Shield towards hub:

Cut off old brake shield:

Cleaned up hub and shield mountings ready for replacement;

Preparation for Installing new shield:
Cut shield with junior hacksaw as shown on image below.

Install new shield over hub:
Takes a little time to roll the shield over the hub, take your time
trying not to crease the shield in one place.

Square up the Shield and install it back to the hub:
As I intended to spot weld the cut point in a few places I used
the old bolts just to true up the shield. Note paint removed in
readiness of spot welding. I used my MIG welder to place three
spot welds as shown, the ground the weld back to flush the plate.

Cleaned and painted old parking brake support brackets:

Rust protection of new shield:
Once spot welded, shield pulled forward and given a coating
of hammerite both sides to protect it, reinstalled shield when dry.

Completed job:
New shield as rigid and stiff as original.

 

[OOoOO]

Top post.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Thank you for the excellent writeup.

As this is an international forum, if you are outside of the USA or the UK where this work often gets done, then it may pay to check with your local vehicle safety inspector to see if cutting and welding the brake backing plate complies with your local laws.

I suspect it would be an instant safety inspection (WOF) failure in New Zealand.

 

[jaguartvr]

I did exactly the same thing to replace both of my shields. Once they had been bolted on they didn't really need welding they were quite firm and not going to be flapping in the wind. As I had already got the mig out I did weld them up. If you don't have a mig welder I would suggest using some JB weld.

 

[Duncodin]

Thank you for the excellent writeup.

As this is an international forum, if you are outside of the USA or the UK where this work often gets done, then it may pay to check with your local vehicle safety inspector to see if cutting and welding the brake backing plate complies with your local laws.

I suspect it would be an instant safety inspection (WOF) failure in New Zealand.

Once the brake is back on I think that cut would be pretty much invisible.

But i wouldn't replace my shield because of a bit of surface rust anyway.

 

[jaguartvr]

Mine had rotted away where the brake pins and springs for the brake shoes are held in place, they were totally rotten, Fitting the back plate in one piece is a big job, with a small cut it is a small job. No brainer.
Even if you left the small cut it would be all but impossible to see and I can't see it causing any problems.

 

[Pingu]

I used two cuts and made some small brackets to fix the parts together. I think your idea is better, though .

Having to remove the hubs and replace the bearing is just very poor design.

 

[t-tony]

A very poor design used by Mercedes, Vauxhall and other makers. Designers don't pay any attention to repairing and maintainance only cost of manufacture. Even going back to my early days I wish I had £1 for every time I've uttered the immortal phrase, "I wish the t**t who designed this had to work on it!"

Tony.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Even going back to my early days I wish I had £1 for every time I've uttered the immortal phrase, "I wish the t**t who designed this had to work on it!"

Been there done that. It's all done by smart-ar5e kiddies who went to school long enough to learn nothing, and then gave us the benefit of their experience.

That's a touch of sarcasm, in case anyone thought I was being sincere.

 

[Lee]

Nicely done that, with the right tools would take the same amount of time removing the hub. We did it this way in the past a few times and cut in the same place.