DarrenSTI

iTrader: (3)

I've been chasing a slight scuffing/rubbing noise coming from the front drivers side, mostly when turning left, odd time turning right, about 1/4 turn on the wheel.
Thought it was pads being low, and sticking....but car had new pads...noise still there.

Found the Disc Guard can be the issue here, have tried pushing it back, as it did look a little close to the disc...I think it has quietened it down slightly, but can still here it at times, so I'm thinking I'm on the right track.

Question is shall I just remove it totally? is it really needed?
A bit like the under engine cover, I see a lot of people have removed?

Any advice appreciated

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

I fitted 356mm brakes to the front of my sti and had to remove the guard as it didnt fit anymore.
the cars an everday driver. One year on and no issues

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

Oh and no engine cover either due to fmic and again no issues in nearly 2 years

DarrenSTI

iTrader: (3)

Cheers Tommy.
Obviously I understand what the guard does etc etc, but if its causing issues and its aged bent out of shape/rust remove it.

Guessing the caliper and disc has to come off to get to it?
Pretty sure this is whats coursing the noise.
Its not a CV gaiter/wrong noise for a bearing/has new pads, disc's are excel condition/can't see any other rubbing evidence.

Jut sometimes I hear it other times I don't, very on/off.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

I forget now but its simple to remove.
personally if you have brembos and its not a big issue i wouldnt remove the caliper as they tend to snap bolts and need helicoiling.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

IIRC, the caliper has to come off to get at the spot welds on the guard.

Once caliper and disc are off, drill out spot welds with either a sharp 8mm drill, or a proper spot-weld drill, and off she drops.
Clean up with wire brush and paint with Hammerite black.

And I'm same as Tubby: no covers on discs front or rear, no undertray.

addi monster

iTrader: (6)

Cover them in mayo and tubby will chew them off in no time

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Never saw the point in disc guards; I see no purpose unless they have channeling and air scoops (which most don't).

Engine under trays DO serve a purpose though - they do help prevent corrosion. Maybe not much of an issue on scoobs bar the odd steel water pipe and surface rust on the subframe and associated nuts and bolts, but on other cars they don't fair so well...for example a few winters use without a undertray on a VAG diesel will usually result in a fecked turbo actuator (from rust).

Now if they didn't put salt on our roads it wouldn't be much of an issue. I wish they wouldn't salt our roads. It wrecks our cars, and it makes drivers too complacent (oh the roads gritted, so I can drive like I normally do in summer )

DarrenSTI

iTrader: (3)

Improvements made.
I was a bit more forceful in pushing back the guard, pressure applied top & bottom together, and same for left & right.
The noise is now very very light, and not all the time.

See how it goes from now, if it returns will think about removing them totally.

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

There are just 3 10mm headed bolts holding the front guards on and very easy to remove , we remove them when fitting larger brakes and have never had an issue doing so , not sure if you can get at the bolts with the discs on , as they are always off when we remove them
Cheers Ian

DarrenSTI

iTrader: (3)

Arhh, if they come off without the disc and caliper coming off to I'd be ok....maybe wait till it goes for a service, incase I run into problems.

Ian, do think removing them would be ok from a disc damage issue from road crap/stones?

Have you knowledge of this guard being a noisey problem? It a light tish tish tish noise when turning medium speed lefts.

t1gger

iTrader: (2)

had my forester at slowboy racing a few weeks ago to have 4 pots fitted had them taken off as they said most people take them off .also one was so rusty it just broke off