Backing plate eliminator questions.

[locked 4x4]

I was wondering what is so special about the backing plate eliminator kit.  If I remember right it makes it easier to replace a birfield, but why are people just taking a jigsaw to the plate and making their own.  Seems cheaper.  Has ayone made their own?  And are their any advantages to buying vs just making your own?? 

[HDcruiser]

It does make it easier to change the birfield, as for the jig saw method, it seems easier to spend 20 buck rather than using a jig saw and probably ending up with a hacked up job. I was told that it is also supposed to help cool the rotor as well. Don't forget that the backing plate is not totally flat, so it probably would be a little bit of a hassle cutting them. I was going to cut mine, then i figured, for 20 bucks, screw it. There cheap enough to buy and i had mine installed in less than 45 minutes. I would have spent more time than that using a jig saw and a grinder to clean them up just to save 20 bucks.

[chim]

I wondered what the benefit was as well.. I mean I like the look with the eliminator plate.. but wouldn't this make it easier to cause damage to the rotor?

[swapped89]

I wondered what the benefit was as well.. I mean I like the look with the eliminator plate.. but wouldn't this make it easier to cause damage to the rotor?

I think if somethin is gonna hit it hard enough to worry about, then that thin metal cover is just gonna be a PITA cause it will get all bent and prob rub scars into your rotor.

I was wondering what is so special about the backing plate eliminator kit.  If I remember right it makes it easier to replace a birfield, but why are people just taking a jigsaw to the plate and making their own.  Seems cheaper.  Has ayone made their own?  And are their any advantages to buying vs just making your own?? 

I cut mine with a metal cutoff wheel. and ground it smooth around the edges with a bench grinder. Its easy to do!

[Steve_925]

i did mine in a pinch on the trail with a hack saw.

if you want to use a knuckle on the opposite side(ie. using a pass. knuckle on the driverside) then the shield has to be cut or eliminated

[mudmaster]

I cut mine with a metal cutoff wheel. and ground it smooth around the edges with a bench grinder. Its easy to do!

This is what I did. I used to get small rocks caught in there and then have to get them out or listen to the squealing.

[swapped89]

This is what I did. I used to get small rocks caught in there and then have to get them out or listen to the squealing.

I hate that squealing sound. its horrible. 

[crazykooter]

I just did it to my rig last weekend and it doesnt require any CUTTING at all.  There is 4 spot welds on the brake shield side where you just use a grinder to well grind the welds out.  Once all 4 welds are gone then I just took a screw driver and pried off the spacer from the dust shield.   It isnt just one piece.  Once its off I threw the dust shield away and flap disk the spacer then painted it.  Looks perfect and work perfect as well.  Plus without the dust shield I was able to mess with front brakes much easier but on the down side you have to make a mount for your brake line.  For me it was a plus since I was able to route it better.

[boggerunner]

the pluses of not having a backing plate are
no rocks will be caught in there
easier to get into the knuckle
cant fit ifs calipers on there with them
they also get in the way of ifs hub conversions.
and they look a whole lot cleaner.

[locked 4x4]

This is good news  I am stoked to cut mine off.  So with that bracket gone for the break line what is everyone mounting their line to??  It looks like the line is just floating and not attached to any support in that picture.

[boggerunner]

as long as your brake lines are the right length, they float just fine, ive been runnin mine that way for a few years now.

[DeMented Toys]

Yeah, you don't have to cut it, just drill the little welds and pull the ring off.     

Picks of mine here---> http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=39009.240   

[twistedtoy92]

did mine with a die grinder and cutting wheel, smoothed up on a bench grinder... only took a half an hour!  then tacked the brake line brackets to the steering arms.... ez cheezy

[Marc P]

I cut mine, but kept the brake line holder part on....saw it done on Pirate..

[locked 4x4]

thats sick but don't you still have the problem where you have to disconect the break line to remove the caliper to get at a supposed broken birfield??

[chim]

the pluses of not having a backing plate are
no rocks will be caught in there
easier to get into the knuckle
cant fit ifs calipers on there with them
they also get in the way of ifs hub conversions.
and they look a whole lot cleaner.

My IFS Calipers fit just fine on my 85 axle with backing plates and vented rotors..

But I do agree.. no backing plates look super clean

[boggerunner]

u must of trimmed them to fit.

[Slolyfe]

thats sick but don't you still have the problem where you have to disconect the break line to remove the caliper to get at a supposed broken birfield??

You dont have to disconnect the brake line to change out a birf.

[mudmaster]

I cut mine, but kept the brake line holder part on....saw it done on Pirate..

This is similar to what I did

[Cheesemaker]

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=60016.0;highlight=backing+plate+elim