Brake Question

UPKEV · Apr 16, 2009

I have a brake question for you smart mechanically inclined folks.

I was letting some air out of my back tires as it is finally warm out today and they are were over-inflated because of the increase in air temp. I noticed that just behind the rotor there is a metal cowl that has a lip that follows the rotor lip around about a 1/2 inch from the rotor. It doesn't appear to be present on the front wheels.

What is this, and what is it for?

Does this cowl perform sometype of function?

I noticed one side of the vehicle, this cowl is equi distance from the rotor all the way around the lip.

The other side it looks bent and comes with in an 1/4 or 1/8th inch of the rotor at times. In other words it is out of round.

Is this something that needs to be addresses, or this a guard of sometype doing its job?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Is it legal to bribe people? The first one that can give me good answers I will nominate for May POTM.

albo · Apr 16, 2009

Are you talking about something like this back plate (behind the rotor):

It's designed sometimes to route cool air to the rotors, but usually acts as a guard for the rotor and parking brake assembly). Your's sounds like it's taken a beating, but as long as it's not hitting the rotor you should be ok.

I had a horribly bent one on my old 740il that had taken a solid hit from some road debris (i think it was a 2x4...it happened at night) and was hitting the rotor. I bent it back as close to spec as i could and that was the end of the problem. Had to get a wheel repaired though.

UPKEV · Apr 16, 2009

albo said:
Are you talking about something like this back plate (behind the rotor):

It's designed sometimes to route cool air to the rotors, but usually acts as a guard. Yours sounds like it's taken a beating, but as long as it's not hitting the rotor you should be ok.

I hend a horrible bent one on my old 740il that had taken a solid hit from some road debris (i think it was a 2x4...it happened at night) and was hitting the rotor. I bent it back as close to spec as i could and that was the end of the problem. Had to get a wheel repaired though.

Yeah, I think that is it. Thanks. I won't worry about it then. I haven't heard any noises or anything from back there, just noticied it. It had to have happened quite a while ago, as I haven't been rough on the patriot lately.

Thanks. A load off my mind and worthy of a POTM nomination.

albo · Apr 16, 2009

If it's a problem, then you'll hear a speed dependent scraping sound coming from that wheel.

UPKEV · Apr 16, 2009

albo said:
If it's a problem, then you'll hear a speed dependent scraping sound coming from that wheel.

Thanks, no noise.

APT · Apr 17, 2009

I agree with Albo, just a shield to keep stuff from getting on the rotor and especially the emergency/parking brake.

UPKEV · Apr 17, 2009

APT said:
I agree with Albo, just a shield to keep stuff from getting on the rotor and especially the emergency/parking brake.

Fantastic, so it is just doing its job. You two easest my mind alot. I have been having a lot of work done on both of my vehicles post winter and really didn't feel like going back to the dealer. Plus this one wouldn't be under warranty.:smiley_thumbs_up::smiley_thumbs_up:

Tyler-98-W68 · Apr 17, 2009

albo said:
If it's a problem, then you'll hear a speed dependent scraping sound coming from that wheel.

If you go through really deep mud sometimes dirt and rocks get caught in between there and create quite the sound. The first time it happened I was sure i totally broke something, but a quick spray at the car wash fixed it:smiley_thumbs_up:

Brake Question

UPKEV

albo

UPKEV

albo

UPKEV

APT

UPKEV

Tyler-98-W68

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