Brakes Dodgy Civic Brake Disk Surrounds

absolutehype · 18th August 2007, 22:29

Hey guys,

Just a quick question regarding the strange bit of flimsy metal they put on on the disks. Can this be removed and how easy is it. I dont see why they put it on the car... I looking at getting the Type S with the 18" Blades and with such huge alloys with so much space between the spokes it looks dodgy....

Pottsy · 18th August 2007, 22:55

It's there to shield the brake and suspension components from dust and heat. It would be easy to remove, but I don't think it would be a good idea - might lead to dust related problems later.

absolutehype · 19th August 2007, 00:40

hmm, surely though no other cars have this... Unless they are using aweful brake pads i dont see how it will make a big difference. The guy at my dealership said that honda put it there to fill the space in the wheel arches because people were complaining the disks look too small! Well i just think if i am getting a decent set of alloys they really let them down. Do you think its just a case of removing the disk then by the look of it?

FWH · 19th August 2007, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by absolutehype

hmm, surely though no other cars have this... Unless they are using aweful brake pads i dont see how it will make a big difference. The guy at my dealership said that honda put it there to fill the space in the wheel arches because people were complaining the disks look too small! Well i just think if i am getting a decent set of alloys they really let them down. Do you think its just a case of removing the disk then by the look of it?

other cars have this.
it is what I call a brake shield.
even my old Volvo 240s had it...
however, they are usually less visable.

the design might be to make the discs look bigger, but they do also have a function.

Pottsy · 19th August 2007, 07:56

Firstly, removing them will invalidate your warranty on anything around the wheel area. That would be reason enough for me to leave them on.

Secondly, have a look at the rubber boot around the ball joint at the very bottom right of that photo I posted. In certain conditions the shield is acting to prevent radiated heat getting to the boot. Melt the boot, dirt gets in, wobbly steering.

Finally, I'm not sure where the brake dust, stones and other debris will end up. The dust is nasty stuff (as can be seen by the way it can corrode a wheel) and I'd be happier with it not getting on my brake and suspension bits.

And as FWH says, lots of cars have them.

absolutehype · 19th August 2007, 12:36

Hmm ok, now i see that you are probably right. I just googled brake shields however and from what people are saying it sounds like its meant to protect your wheels from damage. Hmm not sure, so has anyone on here done anything with theirs or just left them on? Just that if something can be done i would be very interested, even if it means replacing it with a smaller guard.

RogS · 19th August 2007, 12:50

I wonder another ting. If i want to change to bigger brake disks will this shield be i the way?

/RogS

MC Hammer · 19th August 2007, 22:02

As has been said they do have a purpose and best left on to protect the brakes and surrounding parts.
However to remove it isn't quite so easy.
You will gave to withdraw the front stub-axle from the bearing and replace the bearing prior to refit. Not an easy task and I expect not cheap either. Might look nice though???

gray52 · 28th August 2007, 23:45

Mine Are Starting To Rust, So They Will Look Nice In A Few Years...great.

m4rky · 29th August 2007, 18:13

Sorry lads this is a case of looks over safety and sensibility

They are installed for all of the valid reasons above - Why take them off? I don't get it? I must just be getting old or something but if there going rusty give them a coat of paint

jayt43 · 31st August 2007, 15:54

While I understand Pottsy's point about removal invalidating the warranty around the wheel area, I'm not so sure about the shield protecting mechanicals from radiated heat.

Well, at least if that's the case, then why do Civics sold in many mainland European countries not come with them fitted at all? And does that mean I should be expecting wobbly steering in the near future?

I think it's more a case of they make the Civic's standard discs look bigger. And, although there may well be some additional benefit in heat reduction, I doubt it seriously helps the longevity of brake related parts. Otherwise, surely, they'd be fitted as standard across mainland Europe?

gray52 · 31st August 2007, 23:02

I Can Remember That Some People Never Had These Fitted Last Year?

jayt43 · 31st August 2007, 23:11

Yes Gray, you only need to take a quick look in the gallery to see how many European versions DONT have the shields.

Hence, my argument that they're not really needed. But like Pottsy said, if they are fitted, then it's best (from a warranty POV) to leave them on.

Has your dealership seen/commented on the rust aspect though? I'm not sure how they're coated (not having any myself) but surely, if their purpose is mainly aesthetic, it's not too clever if they rust!

jayt43 · 31st August 2007, 23:21

For example, none on the following vehicles:

My Vivid Honda's from Hungary

http://www.civinfo.com/forum/gallery...-door-nhb.html

gray52 · 31st August 2007, 23:21

The Gards In Question Are Both On The Nearside And Have Both Suffered Some Damage On The Bottom, So I Think It Was Done In The Factory. This Has Caused The Paint To Chip, Hence They Are Starting To Rust, I Only Noticed As They Are Normally Covered In Brake Dust.

Told The Dealer And Said It May Be Stone Chips...both On The Near Side. He Said If It Gets Worse He Would Take Photos For Honda To Have Alook.

I Had No Joy With My Rusty Locking Wheel Nuts, He Just Said A New Set Would Do The Same. Made Me Wonder If They Get Anything For Putting In A Low Amount Of Warrenty Claims?

jayt43 · 31st August 2007, 23:31

I have two rusty nuts as well (no pun intended) caused by a mechanic hurriedly removing them with an air gun.

Luckily, they weren't the locking ones though. And I have two spare. So perhaps your damage was caused the same way (does it look like part of the coating on the nut edge has sheared off, then rusted?).

If so, they probably took them off with a gun, despite the visual warning on the nut itself to loosen with a hand wrench!

If that's the case (and you've only had it serviced by a Honda dealer) then I'd take it up with them by saying that whoever did the job must have damaged them whilst tightening/untightening.

18th August 2007, 22:29	#1 (permalink)
absolutehype Valve Cap Join Date: 8th August 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dodgy Civic Brake Disk Surrounds Hey guys, Just a quick question regarding the strange bit of flimsy metal they put on on the disks. Can this be removed and how easy is it. I dont see why they put it on the car... I looking at getting the Type S with the 18" Blades and with such huge alloys with so much space between the spokes it looks dodgy....

31st August 2007, 23:11	#13 (permalink)
jayt43 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 27th June 2006 Location: Budapest Posts: 509 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes Gray, you only need to take a quick look in the gallery to see how many European versions DONT have the shields. Hence, my argument that they're not really needed. But like Pottsy said, if they are fitted, then it's best (from a warranty POV) to leave them on. Has your dealership seen/commented on the rust aspect though? I'm not sure how they're coated (not having any myself) but surely, if their purpose is mainly aesthetic, it's not too clever if they rust! Last edited by jayt43; 31st August 2007 at 23:13.

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This thread is about: Dodgy Civic Brake Disk Surrounds, it's in Wheels, Tyres, Suspension and Brakes at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Hey guys, Just a quick question regarding the strange bit of flimsy metal they put on on the disks. Can this be removed and how ...

18th August 2007, 22:55	#2 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 4,772 Thanks: 7 Thanked 64 Times in 33 Posts	It's there to shield the brake and suspension components from dust and heat. It would be easy to remove, but I don't think it would be a good idea - might lead to dust related problems later.

19th August 2007, 00:40	#3 (permalink)
absolutehype Valve Cap Join Date: 8th August 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	hmm, surely though no other cars have this... Unless they are using aweful brake pads i dont see how it will make a big difference. The guy at my dealership said that honda put it there to fill the space in the wheel arches because people were complaining the disks look too small! Well i just think if i am getting a decent set of alloys they really let them down. Do you think its just a case of removing the disk then by the look of it?

19th August 2007, 07:56	#5 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 4,772 Thanks: 7 Thanked 64 Times in 33 Posts	Firstly, removing them will invalidate your warranty on anything around the wheel area. That would be reason enough for me to leave them on. Secondly, have a look at the rubber boot around the ball joint at the very bottom right of that photo I posted. In certain conditions the shield is acting to prevent radiated heat getting to the boot. Melt the boot, dirt gets in, wobbly steering. Finally, I'm not sure where the brake dust, stones and other debris will end up. The dust is nasty stuff (as can be seen by the way it can corrode a wheel) and I'd be happier with it not getting on my brake and suspension bits. And as FWH says, lots of cars have them.

19th August 2007, 12:36	#6 (permalink)
absolutehype Valve Cap Join Date: 8th August 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hmm ok, now i see that you are probably right. I just googled brake shields however and from what people are saying it sounds like its meant to protect your wheels from damage. Hmm not sure, so has anyone on here done anything with theirs or just left them on? Just that if something can be done i would be very interested, even if it means replacing it with a smaller guard.

19th August 2007, 12:50	#7 (permalink)
RogS Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 24th May 2007 Location: Upplands Vasby, Stockholm, Sweden. Posts: 112 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I wonder another ting. If i want to change to bigger brake disks will this shield be i the way? /RogS

19th August 2007, 22:02	#8 (permalink)
MC Hammer 5 seats are a must! Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 16th June 2006 Location: UK Posts: 601 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As has been said they do have a purpose and best left on to protect the brakes and surrounding parts. However to remove it isn't quite so easy. You will gave to withdraw the front stub-axle from the bearing and replace the bearing prior to refit. Not an easy task and I expect not cheap either. Might look nice though???

28th August 2007, 23:45	#9 (permalink)
gray52 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 23rd November 2006 Location: peterborough Posts: 878 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Mine Are Starting To Rust, So They Will Look Nice In A Few Years...great.

29th August 2007, 18:13	#10 (permalink)
m4rky Civic Mad! Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 25th August 2007 Posts: 222 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry lads this is a case of looks over safety and sensibility They are installed for all of the valid reasons above - Why take them off? I don't get it? I must just be getting old or something but if there going rusty give them a coat of paint

31st August 2007, 15:54	#11 (permalink)
jayt43 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 27th June 2006 Location: Budapest Posts: 509 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	While I understand Pottsy's point about removal invalidating the warranty around the wheel area, I'm not so sure about the shield protecting mechanicals from radiated heat. Well, at least if that's the case, then why do Civics sold in many mainland European countries not come with them fitted at all? And does that mean I should be expecting wobbly steering in the near future? I think it's more a case of they make the Civic's standard discs look bigger. And, although there may well be some additional benefit in heat reduction, I doubt it seriously helps the longevity of brake related parts. Otherwise, surely, they'd be fitted as standard across mainland Europe?

31st August 2007, 23:02	#12 (permalink)
gray52 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 23rd November 2006 Location: peterborough Posts: 878 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I Can Remember That Some People Never Had These Fitted Last Year?

31st August 2007, 23:21	#14 (permalink)
jayt43 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 27th June 2006 Location: Budapest Posts: 509 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	For example, none on the following vehicles: My Vivid Honda's from Hungary http://www.civinfo.com/forum/gallery...-door-nhb.html

31st August 2007, 23:21	#15 (permalink)
gray52 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 23rd November 2006 Location: peterborough Posts: 878 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	The Gards In Question Are Both On The Nearside And Have Both Suffered Some Damage On The Bottom, So I Think It Was Done In The Factory. This Has Caused The Paint To Chip, Hence They Are Starting To Rust, I Only Noticed As They Are Normally Covered In Brake Dust. Told The Dealer And Said It May Be Stone Chips...both On The Near Side. He Said If It Gets Worse He Would Take Photos For Honda To Have Alook. I Had No Joy With My Rusty Locking Wheel Nuts, He Just Said A New Set Would Do The Same. Made Me Wonder If They Get Anything For Putting In A Low Amount Of Warrenty Claims?

31st August 2007, 23:31	#16 (permalink)
jayt43 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 27th June 2006 Location: Budapest Posts: 509 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have two rusty nuts as well (no pun intended) caused by a mechanic hurriedly removing them with an air gun. Luckily, they weren't the locking ones though. And I have two spare. So perhaps your damage was caused the same way (does it look like part of the coating on the nut edge has sheared off, then rusted?). If so, they probably took them off with a gun, despite the visual warning on the nut itself to loosen with a hand wrench! If that's the case (and you've only had it serviced by a Honda dealer) then I'd take it up with them by saying that whoever did the job must have damaged them whilst tightening/untightening.