I am getting ready to install my brake ducting and am curious if there is any reason not to remove the dust shields and just let the air blow towards the center of the discs or does the shield help in some way? Seems like the flanges that are popular don't really get to the center any better than just letting them get the air from the duct as close as possible. Any one have experience w/out the shields?
Thanks

 

IMHO, you'll be fine without them. The only possible negative effects would be increased brake dust accumulation on spindle/suspension components, and possibly the ball joints absorbing more heat (even then, it's debatable). Toss 'em

 

ive seen a fellow s2k challenge running no shields with ducts... he wrapped his tie rod and other rubber bushings (near the rotor surface) with some type of heat insulated material.. looked nice and tidy .. not sure if it was necessary but it looked like it might protect the questionable rubber materials

 

I had not considered the fact that the dust would be detrimental to the nearby associated rubber components. Thanks for enlightening me to that. I guess I will reconsider based on that.

 

If you didn't run a flange attached to the dust shield, how would you secure the duct hose to be positioned toward the center of the rotor? I'm curious since I will be doing brake ducting soon.

 

Something like what was done here: http://www.robrobinette.com/S2000BrakeDucts.htm. Scroll down to pics for 3"
Sorry link not working but Rob's build thread is easily found in search.

 

pgss, yous link is broken because of the trailing period, but here's a few pics from the brake duct how-to. http://robrobinette....S2000BrakeDucts

My theory is the dust shields help contain the airflow and keep it against the inside rotor and flow into the inside of the rotor. You can't get the hose much closer to the center of the disk than this:






If you don't run dust shields be sure and protect your ball joint rubber boots. You will melt them if you're quick enough. I use Home Depot aluminum tape even though I run the dust shields.

 

Rob
Thanks for your reply and willingness to share w/the community. As I stated above I hadn't considered the effects on the rubber components. Because of this I will be keeping the shields in place. Thanks also for the tape tip! If I go to the Accord upgrade in the future will I have to get/modify new shields?

 

No, the Accord BBK drops right in.