Rusted dust shield? Don't want to damage bearings by removing hubs? look here!

My dust shields are so rusted that I can no longer mount my parking brakes.

I inquired into replacing them, however that meant removing the hubs, the local shop who quoted me said by doing so you will likely need new wheel bearings.

Firstly, remove your dust shield, it is held on by two 10mm bolts, and 2 very thin 16mm bolts.

I used a wire brush to clean off the rust, and some liquid wrench to loosen them. You will not be able to use a socket wrench, because it is too big to fit in behind the hub flange.

I should mention that the two 16mm bolts are so damn thin, that your wrenches will likely not be able to grip onto them.

Once I removed the old dust shield, I then took my new dust shield and I cut an opening large enough to slide over the hub, while still keeping the mounting holes intact. See pics for details. Notice I spray painted the dust shield, because I damaged the paint when I cut them and I did not want them to rust prematurely.

Cheap DiY ! but take a look all the other rusty areas ... that lower damper is rusted, hub and bearing area rusted, crusty brake calipers .... how many miles on the car ?

my left rear wheel bearing just blew out with a loud holler on the freeway !
after 80k mi .... sourcing parts now

take heed ! do pro-active maintenance 1st ... looks a 3rd priority

Car has 170,000 KM, all oh which took place in Canada...

Fortunately there is no body rust.

Yes I do notice all the rust on those components. I am quite proactive in maintenance.

I have a full cooling kit + CCV in my garage. I recently had it to a shop, they told me I need new struts and tie rod links. Due to my lowered suspension.

I plan on picking up all new struts, sway bar links and vanos seals soon.

also need to replace 2x wheel speed sensors up front.

Originally Posted by DKTim

My dust shields are so rusted that I can no longer mount my parking brakes.

I inquired into replacing them, however that meant removing the hubs, the local shop who quoted me said by doing so you will likely need new wheel bearings.

Firstly, remove your dust shield, it is held on by two 10mm bolts, and 2 very thin 16mm bolts.

I used a wire brush to clean off the rust, and some liquid wrench to loosen them. You will not be able to use a socket wrench, because it is too big to fit in behind the hub flange.

I should mention that the two 16mm bolts are so damn thin, that your wrenches will likely not be able to grip onto them.

Once I removed the old dust shield, I then took my new dust shield and I cut an opening large enough to slide over the hub, while still keeping the mounting holes intact. See pics for details. Notice I spray painted the dust shield, because I damaged the paint when I cut them and I did not want them to rust prematurely.

I need to do this. A few questions.
What did you use to cut the dust shield(s)?
You mention that you can't get a wrench on the 16mm bolts. How did you get them out?
Someone should manufacture a dust shield with the opening already in it. They'd get rich quick.
Thanks in advance,
Greg

Greg,
Use "metal shears" in order to cut the dust shield. You can by them almost anywhere... they look like this http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88...nShearsSet.jpg


The reason you cannot get a normal wrench on those 16mm bolts is because the bolts are so damn thin. If you look at your wrench set, you will notice they have rounded edges on the wrench face. This is to help you slide the wrench onto a bolt, but a bolt this thin simply slips off those rounded face.

There are two things to do, one is find a wrench that is nice and flat with no rounded edges (I was lucky to have a cheap Walmart brand wrench that had a flat face). Or you can take a grinder to the wrench and flatten it out!

Here is a picture of the rounded face (fillet) that I am talking about

Thanks Tim.
This seems to be one of the best time/money saving DIY threads.
Has anyone else replaced the rear dust shields using this method?
Greg