Rattling Heat Shields on rear wheels on MK5 GTI

[Oldy]

Washed the car yesterday and noticed both heat shields on the rear wheels on my 2006 GTI were "loose".  Today they are rattling, as they must be "bouncing" against the disc over bumps.  I assume that, to be loose, they will need replacing.  Anyone done it/had it done?  If so is it straightforward?  (No, this is a Golf, it won't be!)

[jaffa]

I took my rear heat shields off when one started rattling due to the rust around the screw holes
As long as your ok with working on brakes then it's a simple job


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[Oldy]

Thanks Jaffa.  Good to know.  Did you replace the shields?

[MPS]

The cheats way of replacing it (and how I did it) is to cut the shield off at the spur? (can't think of a better word for it?) section with tinsnips. That way you don't have to take the hub off. I used this method with both old and new brake shields. Not the best feeling in the world butchering a brand new part you've just forked out nearly £30 for but it has to be done, doesn't seem to be any detriment either, you're left with a C shape. Just make sure you paint the bare metal with hammerite after you've cut. Oh and the shield is held on with torx bits, T30 IIRC.

And the parts are handed and GTI specific - make sure you order the right part as the ones for the normal golf are too small!

[Oldy]

Thanks for this.  I will show my complete ignorance now, but are the shields "dist protectors"?  I would have thought it more beneficial for cooling the brakes to have as much air as possible passing round them.  So can these shields be removed and not replaced without any detriment to the car?

[Flyingscotsman]

They are dust shields. Many people remove them.

[Oldy]

Thanks for that.  Thought so. Think I will be one "of the many".

[AJP]

Mine will be removed at the first possible opportunity. They're terrible for getting little stones caught between them and the disc. Makes a right racket. I've run big brakes on a few cars without shields with no issues. Hopefully I'll get hold of some R32 rears at some point and get rid while I'm at it.

[Oldy]

You've reminded me.  We had them on a previous car some years back, which were always picking up gravel from our drive.  Got rid of them for that reason, so with you on the Golf.  I will get rid of them too!

[Oldy]

Just an update.  I decided the VW must have a reason for fitting dust shields, so elected to have them replaced when I had new pagid discs and pads fitted. Only thing to turn heads now is the exhaust sound, not the rattle - much better!