Is the rear brake backing plate critical?
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stickypoop
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Not critical... mine was 90% shot when I got the truck and I ripped off the rest. If you want to replace it you'll have to pull the axle.
6716
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Mounce
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Not critical. When it gives anyone a fit it's generally recommended to trash them rather than replace.
Everyone's advice is absolutely sound and correct, of course... But there is a third and little known or explored option that DOES NOT REQUIRE REMOVING THE REAR AXLES that is made by Dorman... They call it a Split Dust Shield Backing Plate Part # 924-213 that can probably be useful, even if some modification seems necessary. Here is a decent Step By Step Video on how to accomplish this repair:
The reason the Backing Plate is present is not very self-evident, given how flimsy a device its design seems to be and how obscure a position it is relegated to in the overall design of our GMT Vehicles. But consider for just a moment how and why it is possible for so many of them to become damaged and rust or corrode away. The reason this is the dominant outcome is because these Brave Backing Plates "Die in Battle ...A Soldier's Death"... which is to say... they are constantly under siege... beset by having to absorb impacts from rocks, stones, salt water, sand, mud and you name it... all constantly coming at them at very high velocities.
And just as the image of the Badly Battered Shields of Roman Centurions tells the Honest Story of their time in Gaul, fighting insurgencies under the Command of Julius Caesar for the protection of The Roman Empire... these small "Shields" do likewise, sacrificing themselves while protecting the Emergency Brake area and preventing the better part of these "Invaders" from harming or jamming up inside of the Disk Brake Assemblies.
And so they must of needs Die in Battle as a result. To add insult to injury...after Death... their once Brave and Shiny Black Metal Protection becomes decayed and ruined carcasses, left battered and rusted and hanging by the tens of thousands; draped and abandoned around the rear axles of just as many Trucks and SUVs. But now, finally... they can be given a decent and honorable burial if easily and conveniently replaced by the Dorman Split Dust Shield Backing Plate Part # 924-213.
The reason the Backing Plate is present is not very self-evident, given how flimsy a device its design seems to be and how obscure a position it is relegated to in the overall design of our GMT Vehicles. But consider for just a moment how and why it is possible for so many of them to become damaged and rust or corrode away. The reason this is the dominant outcome is because these Brave Backing Plates "Die in Battle ...A Soldier's Death"... which is to say... they are constantly under siege... beset by having to absorb impacts from rocks, stones, salt water, sand, mud and you name it... all constantly coming at them at very high velocities.
And just as the image of the Badly Battered Shields of Roman Centurions tells the Honest Story of their time in Gaul, fighting insurgencies under the Command of Julius Caesar for the protection of The Roman Empire... these small "Shields" do likewise, sacrificing themselves while protecting the Emergency Brake area and preventing the better part of these "Invaders" from harming or jamming up inside of the Disk Brake Assemblies.
And so they must of needs Die in Battle as a result. To add insult to injury...after Death... their once Brave and Shiny Black Metal Protection becomes decayed and ruined carcasses, left battered and rusted and hanging by the tens of thousands; draped and abandoned around the rear axles of just as many Trucks and SUVs. But now, finally... they can be given a decent and honorable burial if easily and conveniently replaced by the Dorman Split Dust Shield Backing Plate Part # 924-213.
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Before giving up on this possible method...Take a gander at this link:
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=123022.0
This is one site that sells them and lists all of the vehicles with an expanding list at the bottom right side of this page: (If nothing else... It might benefit those who own one flavor of whatever is listed and perhaps, not be aware of this solution.)
http://www.1aauto.com/brake-backing-plate-(two-piece-unit-split-type)-rear/i/1abmx00082
Their discussion is productive and the images clarify things a bit more. My thinking is that if you purchased BOTH the OEM GM Stock version AND The Adjustable Dorman Shields, you could probably figure out where to make any necessary "edits" to the Dorman Shields... using the OEM GM Ones as a Template to follow.
We're talking Sheet Metal here..and Sheet Metal not only Rusts easily when it is worn down... But NEW Sheet Metal is also very agreeably modified to those enterprising enough with Dremel Tool and some Cutting Wheels and some Eye Protection...to give this idea a whirl. Hell ...the Dorman Design might event prompt yet ANOTHER way of "adjusting" the OEM GM Shields to work in a similar fashion... with just a bit more creative modification.
For instance... I realize that there would be an additional doubling of the costs...But... if you had TWO Identical GM OEM Plates...you could remove just enough from both to be able to clamshell them together around the axles and have overlapping mount holes mating up to the axle flange...and essentially emulate the Dorman Design with the OEM Parts. Even with the added expense and effort... it would seem like doing it in this manner would involve a whole lot less time and effort than having to pull those damned axles.
But... You know what they say... "All Solutions... Breed New Problems..."
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=123022.0
This is one site that sells them and lists all of the vehicles with an expanding list at the bottom right side of this page: (If nothing else... It might benefit those who own one flavor of whatever is listed and perhaps, not be aware of this solution.)
http://www.1aauto.com/brake-backing-plate-(two-piece-unit-split-type)-rear/i/1abmx00082
Their discussion is productive and the images clarify things a bit more. My thinking is that if you purchased BOTH the OEM GM Stock version AND The Adjustable Dorman Shields, you could probably figure out where to make any necessary "edits" to the Dorman Shields... using the OEM GM Ones as a Template to follow.
We're talking Sheet Metal here..and Sheet Metal not only Rusts easily when it is worn down... But NEW Sheet Metal is also very agreeably modified to those enterprising enough with Dremel Tool and some Cutting Wheels and some Eye Protection...to give this idea a whirl. Hell ...the Dorman Design might event prompt yet ANOTHER way of "adjusting" the OEM GM Shields to work in a similar fashion... with just a bit more creative modification.
For instance... I realize that there would be an additional doubling of the costs...But... if you had TWO Identical GM OEM Plates...you could remove just enough from both to be able to clamshell them together around the axles and have overlapping mount holes mating up to the axle flange...and essentially emulate the Dorman Design with the OEM Parts. Even with the added expense and effort... it would seem like doing it in this manner would involve a whole lot less time and effort than having to pull those damned axles.
But... You know what they say... "All Solutions... Breed New Problems..."
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I was perusing Dorman's site and look what I found:
http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-30685-924-208.aspx?year=2002&make=Chevrolet&model=Trailblazer EXT&origin=YMM
It's not split but it could become one.
http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-30685-924-208.aspx?year=2002&make=Chevrolet&model=Trailblazer EXT&origin=YMM
It's not split but it could become one.
On my 1999 GMC Jimmy Envoy which I recently own before I replace both the rear brake backing plate and they do come in pairs. Bought mine at Advance Auto Parts... http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...2148237-P?searchTerm=brake+drum+backing+plate YES YOU DO HAVE TO REMOVE BOTH REAR AXLE TO GET AT IT.
All Chevy, GMC, Oldsmobile, Buick and SAAB of the same type rear axle vehicles require the same way to replace those rear brake backing plate. All these plate do is protect the rotor from getting hit by rocks among many other things down the road.
All Chevy, GMC, Oldsmobile, Buick and SAAB of the same type rear axle vehicles require the same way to replace those rear brake backing plate. All these plate do is protect the rotor from getting hit by rocks among many other things down the road.
Fot the sake of general application... If it comes down to cases and removing the axles is under consideration... or if there have been any unexplained or "Spooky" metal-on-metal rubbing noises in the rear wheels that are prominent when the vehicle is carrying a high mounted load...or when accelerating through curves and when turning... it might help to replace the two worn axle "C" locks at the same time. I have two on order from Dorman that look quite a bit "meatier" in the load bearing sections for contact within the axles' races than the ones I pulled from my son's 1994 Camaro V6.
If there is excessive play there... the motion of the rotating brake disc in and out can brush the outer disc surface on the Mount Bracket and on both the inner and outer brake pads under the aforementioned circumstances. GMs original fix for this was to install thrust washers between the calipers and the mounting bracket. Also...The interior of the E-Brake Drum portion can also contact the frame mounted "C" Drum Pad and make a racket. These items are differential specific, so double check the application to your vehicle before installing.
If there is excessive play there... the motion of the rotating brake disc in and out can brush the outer disc surface on the Mount Bracket and on both the inner and outer brake pads under the aforementioned circumstances. GMs original fix for this was to install thrust washers between the calipers and the mounting bracket. Also...The interior of the E-Brake Drum portion can also contact the frame mounted "C" Drum Pad and make a racket. These items are differential specific, so double check the application to your vehicle before installing.
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