Rear Dust Shield Removal, Not as Bad as You've Heard

FaRKle! · 12-27-2020, 11:53 PM

When I installed my Essex/AP Racing rear brake kit I removed the rear dust shield like Essex/AP Racing recommend you do. I know there are a few other people on here that have done that too, and I also know that there are others out there that haven't even considered it because of the horror stories they've heard about the difficulty, or even seen in other videos where people have completely hacked up and made a mess of things.

Well, I filmed how to do it (skip to 15:53 in the video), and it's not that bad. Don't let this be a mental barrier to you putting on a brake kit you've been thinking about!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Index

0:00 Intro
0:13 Prep work
0:57 Removing the wheels
1:22 Brake fluid reservoir access
2:27 Front caliper removal
4:38 Front rotor removal
5:05 Front dust shield removal
5:25 Front brake hose removal
6:29 Front AP caliper bracket installation
7:12 Front AP rotor installation
7:41 Front AP caliper installation
8:44 Front Spiegler brake hose installation
9:39 Front AP pads installation
11:28 Securing the Spiegler brake hose
13:11 Rear caliper removal
15:28 Rear rotor removal
15:53 Rear dust shield removal
18:53 Rear brake hose removal
19:38 Rear AP caliper bracket installation
20:52 Rear AP rotor installation
21:36 Rear AP caliper installation
22:38 Rear Spiegler brake hose installation
24:10 Rear AP pads installation
25:33 Securing rear wires
25:51 Bleeding the brake system
28:42 Closing up engine bay covers
29:17 Wheels installation

FriedPiston · 12-28-2020, 12:49 AM

I can honestly say this is one of the best DIY videos I've ever watched! Great attention to detail and no fumbling around with the install. Looking forward to seeing more fire content from you, sir!

dvq · 12-28-2020, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FriedPiston

I can honestly say this is one of the best DIY videos I've ever watched! Great attention to detail and no fumbling around with the install. Looking forward to seeing more fire content from you, sir!

Agreed, the whole video is worth watching for anyone working on the F8X platform brakes. Some of the particularly helpful hints which I've had to learn over time are keeping pressure on the brake pedal, bungee cord, and zip-tying the mount. Great job FaRKle!

drroc · 12-28-2020, 05:04 PM

I amazed that your hubs and shields look as clean as they do. I does look like you have to bust out some metal cutting tools to remove the rear dust shields in the end

I decided to keep mine on as I have some cooling ducts installed.

Because · 12-28-2020, 05:37 PM

Really helpful video.

drroc · 12-28-2020, 06:06 PM

I am also very surprised that AP has the bleed valve at the bottom as opposed to the top of the caliper.

FaRKle! · 12-28-2020, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FriedPiston

I can honestly say this is one of the best DIY videos I've ever watched! Great attention to detail and no fumbling around with the install. Looking forward to seeing more fire content from you, sir!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvq

Agreed, the whole video is worth watching for anyone working on the F8X platform brakes. Some of the particularly helpful hints which I've had to learn over time are keeping pressure on the brake pedal, bungee cord, and zip-tying the mount. Great job FaRKle!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Because

Really helpful video.

Thanks guys! It's my goal to make content as helpful as possible and enable people to DIY (or at least understand the jobs).

Quote:

Originally Posted by drroc

I amazed that your hubs and shields look as clean as they do. I does look like you have to bust out some metal cutting tools to remove the rear dust shields in the end

I decided to keep mine on as I have some cooling ducts installed.

Haha, well the car was really new when I took off those brakes (like 3-400mi).

Quote:

Originally Posted by drroc

I am also very surprised that AP has the bleed valve at the bottom as opposed to the top of the caliper.

They have one bleed screw at the bottom and one at the top. AP instructs to bleed the bottom one first.

Because · 12-29-2020, 02:43 PM

FaRKle! - Did you notice a big improvement between the two brake setups?

FaRKle! · 12-29-2020, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Because

FaRKle! - Did you notice a big improvement between the two brake setups?

I haven't tracked the car yet (just approaching the break in service), but on the street you're really not going to notice much. I expect on the track the main difference is not having to worry about cooking the brakes, since the brake torque/"stopping power" isn't designed to be any higher with this kit.

That said, with this kit and the DS2500, the pedal feels more gradual and natural on the street than the stock M2C brakes, which others have described as "touchy." I understand where they're coming from.

Spun Crankhub · 12-31-2020, 12:08 AM

Very solid info, thanks! Good to know how to get that rear shield off, as I am expecting my bbk next month.

ak_NorCal · 01-07-2021, 06:43 PM

Yes, this is yet another great Farkle video. I have done this install as well, and it works as described in the video. I did have to cut the splash guard as explained, and I agree that it is not difficult to do other than that it is not that easy to access, and when you cut, you don't quite see exactly where you cut. OTOH, it is not a precision cut that needs to be made. I now have the M2 CS brakes on my 2018 M3, and the 2018 M3 calipers and 370 and 345 mm Zimmermann rotors on my 328D xDrive. Both upgrades are certainly worth it.

adc · 08-12-2021, 07:50 AM

Very nice video, super detailed and easy to follow…

m4forum · 08-12-2021, 09:24 AM

Removing the dust shield at the front is definitely not an issue. Just need to add a small metal plate to protect a tire rod that is close to the rotor (can use the same bolt which attached the dust shield).
For the rear the situation is different because there are more rubber parts close to the rotor which will get damaged if not protected.
On my case I decided to keep the dust shield. Tested at different tracks including WG and to be honest dont see need to remove them as brake temp and pad wear are really good.

edwinm3 · 08-20-2021, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4forum

For the rear the situation is different because there are more rubber parts close to the rotor which will get damaged if not protected.

This

m4forum · 08-23-2021, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwinm3

This

agree

12-28-2020, 12:49 AM	#2
FriedPiston Colonel 1972 Rep 2,711 Posts Drives: Scraper Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: East Oakland, CA iTrader: (26)	I can honestly say this is one of the best DIY videos I've ever watched! Great attention to detail and no fumbling around with the install. Looking forward to seeing more fire content from you, sir!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-28-2020, 05:04 PM	#4
drroc Lieutenant 419 Rep 518 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 - 6MT Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: San Jose iTrader: (1)	I amazed that your hubs and shields look as clean as they do. I does look like you have to bust out some metal cutting tools to remove the rear dust shields in the end I decided to keep mine on as I have some cooling ducts installed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-28-2020, 05:37 PM	#5
Because New Member 8 Rep 24 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: EU iTrader: (0)	Really helpful video.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-28-2020, 06:06 PM	#6
drroc Lieutenant 419 Rep 518 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 - 6MT Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: San Jose iTrader: (1)	I am also very surprised that AP has the bleed valve at the bottom as opposed to the top of the caliper.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-29-2020, 02:43 PM	#8
Because New Member 8 Rep 24 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: EU iTrader: (0)	FaRKle! - Did you notice a big improvement between the two brake setups?
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12-31-2020, 12:08 AM	#10
Spun Crankhub Major General 964 Rep 5,033 Posts Drives: 15 F82 SOLD Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (63)	Very solid info, thanks! Good to know how to get that rear shield off, as I am expecting my bbk next month.
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01-07-2021, 06:43 PM	#11
ak_NorCal Private 18 Rep 55 Posts Drives: '18 YMB ZCP M3 & '17 MG 330i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Silicon Valley/PCH iTrader: (1)	Great video (again) Yes, this is yet another great Farkle video. I have done this install as well, and it works as described in the video. I did have to cut the splash guard as explained, and I agree that it is not difficult to do other than that it is not that easy to access, and when you cut, you don't quite see exactly where you cut. OTOH, it is not a precision cut that needs to be made. I now have the M2 CS brakes on my 2018 M3, and the 2018 M3 calipers and 370 and 345 mm Zimmermann rotors on my 328D xDrive. Both upgrades are certainly worth it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2021, 07:50 AM	#12
adc Major General 2750 Rep 6,759 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MD/DC iTrader: (12)	Very nice video, super detailed and easy to follow… __________________ 2018 F80 Santorini 2019 Z4 3.0i 2022 X2 M35i
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08-12-2021, 09:24 AM	#13
m4forum First Lieutenant 76 Rep 346 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Michigan iTrader: (6)	Removing the dust shield at the front is definitely not an issue. Just need to add a small metal plate to protect a tire rod that is close to the rotor (can use the same bolt which attached the dust shield). For the rear the situation is different because there are more rubber parts close to the rotor which will get damaged if not protected. On my case I decided to keep the dust shield. Tested at different tracks including WG and to be honest dont see need to remove them as brake temp and pad wear are really good.
	Appreciate 0 Quote