Top 3 Reasons You Need Brake Dust Screens

If you're a DIY mechanic, it's entirely possible that you've come across the dreaded brake dust shield when replacing your brake pads. The brake dust shield is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part that helps protect brake components and other suspension parts from excessive brake dust buildup. As brake dust accumulates, it can get between the brake pads and the brake disc, corrode the brake caliper and possibly lead to premature wear and possibly even failure of the brake system. If you don't have a disc brake system that is self-cleaning, a dust shield is essential to protecting the entire system. However, many people wonder if brake dust shields are necessary.

To shed some light on this frequently asked question, let's take a look at the top 3 reasons why brake dust shields should not be removed.

1. Brake dust shields prolong the service life of the brake system.

Quick question: what causes excessive brake pad wear? If you answered friction, you would be right. But did you know that the main source of friction is debris stuck between the brake pad and brake disc? Whether it's dust from brake pads, dirt from the road, or other debris, most brake problems due to premature component wear are due to excessive friction during normal use. When the brake dust shield is removed, brake dust collection on these critical components is accelerated. The result is increased friction when the brake pads act on the rotor, which can increase wear on the pads and rotors. Installing a brake dust cover can extend the life of pads, rotors, and even brake calipers.

2. Brake dust screens reduce road dirt buildup

Removing brake dust from wheels is a very simple process. Most car owners can spray water from a high-pressure hose between the "holes" of the wheel, and light dust can easily fall off the brake calipers and discs. However, removing road grime and grime is not easy. The brake dust shield is designed by the designers of modern cars, trucks and SUVs to block the collection of not only brake dust, but also other contaminants such as road grime, grime and other particles that can accumulate on brake system parts.

People living in cold climates have to deal with an additional culprit in premature brake wear: road salt collection. Magnesium chloride, or ice melt as it is commonly called, is applied in cold weather areas to reduce ice buildup on roads in snowy conditions. As the ice begins to melt, the salt begins to stick to the parts of the brake system. As the water evaporates, the salt acts like sandpaper - literally sanding the brake pads and rotor every time the brakes are applied. The brake dust shield helps prevent road grime, salt and other contaminants from building up in the brake system.

3. Lack of brake shields can lead to brake system failure

In an ideal world, car owners would replace their brakes according to their manufacturers' recommendations - typically every 30,000 miles. However, these recommendations are set during normal use, including when the vehicle is used with all OEM parts installed. By removing the brake dust shield, consumers accelerate the wear of the brake pads and rotors. While these components may show warning signs or symptoms, such as grinding or creaking when touched, they will continue to wear out and eventually fail.

While it may be tempting to remove the brake dust shield to avoid the extra step of changing brake pads, the risks simply outweigh any purported benefits. It is always best to reinstall all OEM components when performing scheduled maintenance and service, including the brake dust cover on any car, truck and SUV.