What is that metal thing behind the brake disc?

[azausa]

Hi everybody,

Does anybody know what is that metal thing behind the front brake disc, pic attached.

And have you noticed them as being chipped? If they are normal, looks to me they are not the same i.e. not machine done at factory?

Pics attached:
left side front, left side middle, right side front, right side middle.

View attachment 22077View attachment 22078View attachment 22079View attachment 22080

 

[azausa]

the other pics


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

[azausa]

Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

[azausa]

Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

[azausa]

Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

[teslarati97]

Should be your brake dust shield. If you ever get this weird grinding noise coming from a wheel, it's probably a rock stuck between the shield and the rotor.

 

[azausa]

Should be your brake dust shield. If you ever get this weird grinding noise coming from a wheel, it's probably a rock stuck between the shield and the rotor.

Thanks @teslarati97. Are the chipped edges normal? And is a rock stuck between the shield & the rotor bad?

 

[JonR]

Dust shields are on all cars with disc brakes and are just stamped steel. There is a small gap between the dust shield and the rotor so it is possible to get something stuck in there which is bad. The most common thing to get stuck is a rock and it is very uncommon but it does happen. If it does happen, it will make a speed dependent high pitched noise as you drive.

 

[CuriousGeorge]

Thanks @teslarati97. Are the chipped edges normal? And is a rock stuck between the shield & the rotor bad?

Mine have those same indents. At least, the right front one does, and in the same place.

 

[teslarati97]

Thanks @teslarati97. Are the chipped edges normal? And is a rock stuck between the shield & the rotor bad?

I think those edges are for automated assembly. Generally it would be at the rear shields after some unfortunate pebble bounces within the wheel.

 

[CuriousGeorge]

I think those edges are for automated assembly.

That's what I was thinking...maybe some sort of pin or peg that either helps align the shroud or perhaps rotate it into place.

 

[azausa]

Thanks, everyone. I learned something new. I now know those chipped edges are normal. The grinding sound has stop probably the small stone has been dislodged.

Was funny, I even found a cigarette butt lodged underneath the SE and small stone which I cannot pull out and is now part of the under chassis of the SE.

 

[teslarati97]

The small stone will probably fall out if it's not underneath a body panel. If you have the tools, you could remove the wheel and look around for the pebble.

 

[azausa]

The small stone will probably fall out if it's not underneath a body panel. If you have the tools, you could remove the wheel and look around for the pebble.

View attachment 22090

Not only I don’t have the tools, I also don’t have the confidence. I reckon the stone is underneath the body panel as I can hear them rolling when doing a sharp incline curve.