is it safe to remove the slash shield from behind the rotors? i'm not really sure what purpose they serve, except to maybe keep water from splashing on the rotors and warping them. the main reason i want to take them off is to make inspecting the inside brakepads easier.

 

I am pretty sure they are there just to keep the brake pad dusting down. A lot of road racers take off the shield to get better airflow. I say take them off!

 

Yeah, take em off, they're worthless. More air to your brakes.

Greg

 

They are heat shields. Removal may harm your ball joints in the future.

 

the correct term for these pieces of **** is a "dust shield" They are there to keep rocks or other debris off your brake system. If you live down a dirt road or rally, keep em, otherwise, you like hot brakes.

 

So then if you live in town there is no disadvantage to removing them? What about what DR Pooface said, is there a chance of damaging the ball joints or would the passing air cool everything down enough?

 

Pull the rotors, use a offset phillips screwdriver to pull the three screws, snip the thin side, and toss 'em.

 

I think they'd be more of a detriment than a help on dirt roads, too, since I got a rock jammed in between my rear
rotor and the shield. No damage done, but scary nonetheless.

 

OK, well my brakes have picked up the bad habit of smoking after harsh driving... would cutting out the shields help cool them? would there be ANY disadvantage to doing this? What about using ducts to direct the air to the rotors and pads.... could that help? thanks!

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=68225