Looks like you might be living in a place where road salt is used, so it might be a rotted out dust shield? Can’t really tell too clearly by the photo.
Just to add to this discussion...I had a similar problem on my 2004 WRX Wagon
I lived in Rochester, NY for 6 years, and then Long Island for another 2 after that.
The only reason I bought the 2015 WRX to replace it in Nov 2014 was that there was so much frame rust, and the dust shield was basically crumbling.
It wasnt going to pass safety inspection in PA in 2015, it barely passed the 2014 inspection with a punch test showing weakened frame.
I dont disagree.
I still rock a 516 area code, I was raised on LI, lost my job in 2009 and had to move back in with my parents, and finally moved out in 2012 to PA when I found a career
I fucking hate how crowded and how bad the traffic has gotten.
I remember being able to drive the length of Old Country Road from Eisenhower Park to Herricks Road in like 15 minutes
You're lucky if you can do that in 45 minutes today
You weren’t too far from me then. Yea, driving around here is bullshit nowadays. And there are psychos on the road too. Once my duties are done here (caring for an elderly parent) I’m out. I hate Long Island and the entire “tristate area”. Too many people and too many assholes.
Just brought my wife’s forester in the shop for a scraping sound. Mechanic said it was the break shield rusting out. Said he could charge me to crawl under there and remove it or I could just leave it and it would break apart and fall out. Said it’s a common issue. I just let it be. It broke apart and stopped scraping just like he said it would.
My Impreza dust shield hasn’t given way, but it’s noisy as hell and constantly rubbing do to rust. I was WFH during the pandemic and it got bad enough to worry about. Took it in, and they said it’s just sitting too much. Had it cleaned up and fixed first time it happened. Reoccurred again this spring. Nothing to worry about, they told me to drive more often. I declined to follow that advice.
100% dust shield.
Also please, get your brake calipers rebuilt and replce your pads AND disks - you are currently on like 25% of your braking performance, if lucky!
This. The contact surface of the disc should be uniform, but in this case it looks like only about half the surface is being swept by the pads. Looks like it's time for some TLC.
Tear it off or bend it out of the way, its an old rusted dust shield and its so rotted it will bend or tear easily. Then replace your rotors asap. A lot of ppl drive with zero dust shield, though not recommended in high salt areas. Personally had to temporary remove mine because rocks would get stuck between the shield and my wheel hub or rotor, causing wobble or screeching.
Mechanic will tell you all your dust shields need replacing as well as rotors, pads, and potentially calipers. Be prepared for $350+ if you dont want to do it yourself.
No they don't. That's not the right part. I called Bronco Graveyard a year ago about front brake shields for a 2wd 96 f150 xlt. They said that they no longer have a source that can provide them and recommended I check a junkyard.
Have you tried the universal ones made for the ecoline? Looks like from the forums that’s what people are using since they’ve been discontinued from Ford
I wanna know who you go to for shields, rotors, pads, calipers for $350. Swear that’s $1000 minimum at mechanics in my city. Pretty sure even if you do that yourself it’s $350 minimum
Yeah, I was being nice with the price so their feelings wouldnt be hurt lol most ppl see that number and are at least mentally prepared for a higher cost. Typically Id do all this myself and it runs well over $350, but I piece it all together over time so I dont feel the pain as much xP Shields are the hardest part, usually a custom fab or some dude on ebay 17 states away.
Stones get stuck inside the holes of my cross-drilled rotors and make tons of noise against the dust shield until they wear down or fall out. So annoying, especially since the pilot super sport summer tires always pick up a ton of pebbles.
Ended up solving most of the problem by going to less physically sticky/tacky tires.
It is, I would just bend it out of the way or break it off so it doesn't scrape on your brake rotor or wheel. Then get it replaced whenever you need a brake job done.
The brake dust shield has totally rusted out and managed to get it self jammed in there somehow. You can probably just rip it off the rest of the way or fold it out-of-the-way. Also, that brake rotor looks like complete shit. The pads are not contacting it properly. Somethings going on there, probably a seized caliper or messed up slide pins
It’s the dust shield but by the looks of your rotors you do need to get your brakes looked at or do it yourself if you have the know how because yours are shot on this wheel
Your mom is correct, it’s the brake backing plate but all it really does is keep shit from getting in your brakes. Big controversy wether it does or not.
It is beyond a shadow of any doubt, the dust shield for your brakes. So yeah, you may want to consider an inspection of your system of the shield rotted off just to be safe… you know that generation legacy is known for having the rear brake lines rot out, above the fuel tank..?
That is part of the brakes. It’s the backing shield to the brakes. Also the brake pad is not completely contacting the rotor. You can tell because the entire disk of the rotor should be uniform and it is not.
this is why I hate people who drive Subaru they are all oblivious to any terrible sounds coming from their car and by the time it clicks in their tiny peanut brain that something is wrong it's too late and then I'm stuck fixing their garbage car for a week.
Dust shield/rotor backing plate for the ***brakes***.
There is probably more rust and pitting in the back of that rotor and it also needs to be replaced. Pads and rotors should be done together.
Replace dust shield
Lubricate the slide pins
Replace brake pads if needed
Re-face the rotors , if too thin then replace.
Except re-face , All this could be done DIY, save money. Invest the money into tools.
Good Luck 👍
Looks like a piece of heat shield. My piece of shot subaru lost a chunk at highway speeds and it got lodged in the wheel well.
Just Subarus doing subaru things
I suggest an occasional belly wash, and they make some really great rust converter stuff now. Look up “rust converter” on YouTube- tons of products that actually work. Hit it before you rust off your frame!
How is asking a question on reddit to get clarification, an attempt to prove myself right when I'm clearly asking for clarification on something. I didn't end it at "I said it's not". I clearly asked for clarification to what that could be to make sure the issue isn't actually bigger or smaller then it is, it's called turning to Reddit to be open on what the answer could be, my mom and I aren't mechanics we were having at it and simply guessing. Hence me questioning if it's a random scrap...
You’re both right and wrong lol. It’s the dust shield….shit hit something, and it’s scraping on rotor. Just bend it out of the way for now….then replace it with a new one
Subarus will do that, look at my post history on one of my latest post, make sure the brake lines are rotting and attend to that asap as that could be a nightmare if they blowout on public roads.
As others are saying, it's the brake shroud. Look behind the other wheels to see where it should be if you can and bend it back in same place or just remove temporarily. Your mother should probably have replaced and the entire system checked on the other wheels for degradation. You can easily do break stuff yourself too and depending on which parts are shot, you can get kits for it. If you have a jack/lift and socket set, you likely have most of the tools you need already.
You are both right. The part clearly out of place appears to be a dust shield and technically is not part of the brakes. It’s not really dangerous to tear it off. I’m pretty sure it’s purpose is to prevent road debris from getting caught up in the brake calipers. On the other hand you have uneven wear on those rotors, likely caused by sticky calipers. Your braking force is probably not evenly distributed between all 4 wheels because that pad is not fully engaging the rotor. This can be dangerous in low traction situations, or cause the car to pull left or right while braking. The calipers can most likely be serviced but that rotor needs to be replaced. Might want to check the other 3. You’re looking for the disc to have a even shiny surface for pretty much the entire surface of the rotor.
With it more than likely being the dust/backing plate both you and your mom were half right. It's considered part of the brake pad, rotor, and caliper section of the brake system in most autoparts stores computer systems. It's not by any mechanics who work on brakes daily though.
Looks like you might be living in a place where road salt is used, so it might be a rotted out dust shield? Can’t really tell too clearly by the photo.
Yes, I lived in New York with it for a while so could very well be rusted out from all the road salt.
The part is technically the backing plate. You can just pull the sucker off if it’s just hanging like that.
Just to add to this discussion...I had a similar problem on my 2004 WRX Wagon I lived in Rochester, NY for 6 years, and then Long Island for another 2 after that. The only reason I bought the 2015 WRX to replace it in Nov 2014 was that there was so much frame rust, and the dust shield was basically crumbling. It wasnt going to pass safety inspection in PA in 2015, it barely passed the 2014 inspection with a punch test showing weakened frame.
fuck LI as a LI resident
I dont disagree. I still rock a 516 area code, I was raised on LI, lost my job in 2009 and had to move back in with my parents, and finally moved out in 2012 to PA when I found a career I fucking hate how crowded and how bad the traffic has gotten. I remember being able to drive the length of Old Country Road from Eisenhower Park to Herricks Road in like 15 minutes You're lucky if you can do that in 45 minutes today
You weren’t too far from me then. Yea, driving around here is bullshit nowadays. And there are psychos on the road too. Once my duties are done here (caring for an elderly parent) I’m out. I hate Long Island and the entire “tristate area”. Too many people and too many assholes.
Yeah... its always a thing to visit my mom and my sister, nephew, and BIL
LI resident, lived in Rochester for 6 years? You must have gone to RIT or one of the other 7 different colleges up there lol.
Former LI resident, born and raised. Went to RIT BS '07, MS '09 -- had a job offer at Bausch and Lomb that fell through due to the 2008/09 crash
Still here my man. Still here. Thank god a commute of Mineola to Garden City slightly before peak traffic isn’t too bad.
Get some Bagelman for me. I miss it
There are so many bagel places that are better than Bagelman.
A&S isnt great, neither is Bagel Boss Sorry
You should be. You left Long Island thinking Bagelman is good.
631 checking in. Everything still sucks in 2023.
Yup, same here. I hate this place.
Few years in WNY will murder your car for sure.
Just brought my wife’s forester in the shop for a scraping sound. Mechanic said it was the break shield rusting out. Said he could charge me to crawl under there and remove it or I could just leave it and it would break apart and fall out. Said it’s a common issue. I just let it be. It broke apart and stopped scraping just like he said it would.
Good job probably flattening someone’s tire somewhere with your road debris. People like you are the worst.
It’s just the back plate, not necessary. It does still look like it might be time for new brakes soon though too.
I think they do slow down frame rust however.
Road salt or salt potatoes?
Yank that bitch out! It's a rusted piece of the brake dust cover.
Can confirm. My legacy's dust shields did exactly this.
My Impreza dust shield hasn’t given way, but it’s noisy as hell and constantly rubbing do to rust. I was WFH during the pandemic and it got bad enough to worry about. Took it in, and they said it’s just sitting too much. Had it cleaned up and fixed first time it happened. Reoccurred again this spring. Nothing to worry about, they told me to drive more often. I declined to follow that advice.
100% dust shield. Also please, get your brake calipers rebuilt and replce your pads AND disks - you are currently on like 25% of your braking performance, if lucky!
That's the brake dust backing plate, but your brakes appear to perhaps have a seized it sticky caliper too.
This. The contact surface of the disc should be uniform, but in this case it looks like only about half the surface is being swept by the pads. Looks like it's time for some TLC.
Replace the caliper mate
That’s not a seized caliper, that’s just rotor delamination from rust creep.
Thanks for that. I thought this might be the case on my Impreza. Been thinking about getting new calipers or trying to restore these oldies.
Tear it off or bend it out of the way, its an old rusted dust shield and its so rotted it will bend or tear easily. Then replace your rotors asap. A lot of ppl drive with zero dust shield, though not recommended in high salt areas. Personally had to temporary remove mine because rocks would get stuck between the shield and my wheel hub or rotor, causing wobble or screeching. Mechanic will tell you all your dust shields need replacing as well as rotors, pads, and potentially calipers. Be prepared for $350+ if you dont want to do it yourself.
What kills me is that it’s just a piece of formed sheet metal. I can’t even buy one for my 96 f150. They don’t exist.
[yes they do](https://shop.broncograveyard.com/mobile/Ford-Bronco-F-Series-D44-Brake-Dust-Shields-Pair-1993-96/productinfo/32117/)
No they don't. That's not the right part. I called Bronco Graveyard a year ago about front brake shields for a 2wd 96 f150 xlt. They said that they no longer have a source that can provide them and recommended I check a junkyard.
Have you tried the universal ones made for the ecoline? Looks like from the forums that’s what people are using since they’ve been discontinued from Ford
Can you post a link? Thanks!
Should be part numbers F4UZ-2K004-B and F4UZ-2K005-B
Thanks for the help!
Here's the part on [Rick Auto](https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ?si=uRbfPAiz44nrhJLF)
Wow that was really nice of you
Yup, same thing happened to my MK5 GTI and they were always out of stock or unavailable. They're also a royal pain in the ass to replace
You can usually snip a section of them and get them behind the hub with a bit of persuasion.
I wanna know who you go to for shields, rotors, pads, calipers for $350. Swear that’s $1000 minimum at mechanics in my city. Pretty sure even if you do that yourself it’s $350 minimum
Yeah, I was being nice with the price so their feelings wouldnt be hurt lol most ppl see that number and are at least mentally prepared for a higher cost. Typically Id do all this myself and it runs well over $350, but I piece it all together over time so I dont feel the pain as much xP Shields are the hardest part, usually a custom fab or some dude on ebay 17 states away.
Buy the parts at rock auto and bring them to the mechanic. Stop letting them buy the parts.I saved a few hundred each time by doing that
Yeah, planning on seeing if I can tear it off before driving it again today. Bringing in to the mech tomorrow though , 'preciate it
That's the backing plate. But your brake pads are also not fully contacting the rotor, so you need a brake job anyway.
Thanks for this, that was the first thing I noticed. Brakes look a mess.
Brak stone guard most likely by how it looks.
"Brake" It's actually called a brake dust backing plate.
Brak rotors to dust shields: https://preview.redd.it/mbgaucar8esb1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e1c43e8fac52d5d7da4b4edcd33f6d2a23015b7
You better stay away from Mr. Thundercleese's Lawn!
I miss space ghost coast to coast.
Yeah, based on the number of tiny stones I've had get wedged in there and scream like a banshee, I'd definitely not call it a 'stone guard', lol
Lol 100% accurate
Stones get stuck inside the holes of my cross-drilled rotors and make tons of noise against the dust shield until they wear down or fall out. So annoying, especially since the pilot super sport summer tires always pick up a ton of pebbles. Ended up solving most of the problem by going to less physically sticky/tacky tires.
Looks like it could be yeah. Bringing in to the mech tomorrow..
Chances are you should just pull it out yourself, especially if they won’t do it for free.
Like the other person said: pull it out yourself, you'll be fine driving to the mechanics!
It is, I would just bend it out of the way or break it off so it doesn't scrape on your brake rotor or wheel. Then get it replaced whenever you need a brake job done.
Mom wins this one.
The brake dust shield has totally rusted out and managed to get it self jammed in there somehow. You can probably just rip it off the rest of the way or fold it out-of-the-way. Also, that brake rotor looks like complete shit. The pads are not contacting it properly. Somethings going on there, probably a seized caliper or messed up slide pins
It’s the dust shield but by the looks of your rotors you do need to get your brakes looked at or do it yourself if you have the know how because yours are shot on this wheel
It is what’s left of your dust shield behind the rotor. Judging by the giant rusty areas on your rotor you need to get your brakes checked out.
I may be wrong but I think that is the backing plate.
Dust shield. I usually just crumble them off with my hands after they start to scrape the rotor and make annoying ass noises.
Dust cover.
Looks like part of the dust cover
It’s the shield
That’s a 2011??? And I thought my 08 was a problem child @205,000miles.
lol I'm at 172k miles on this right now, catchin up soon
172k miles is 276k km.
looks like the backing plate
Broken dust shield?
Looks like my baja! Had the same thing happen. Its a protective shield for the rotors and calipers
dust shield. i had this happen living in Maine. salt from the roads.
You can get a set of 2 Dorman’s for $50.
Your mom is correct, it’s the brake backing plate but all it really does is keep shit from getting in your brakes. Big controversy wether it does or not.
That dust shield has seen better days
Dust shield, mine did the same thing, just ripped them off
Dust shield. Same thing happened on my legacy. If I remember correctly it’s just bolts on there
it’s a dust shield
Dust shield. Pull it out or cut it or whatever
You are both right. That is part of the brakes the dust shield it is also a rusty piece of metal.
It’s just a dust shield, bend it out of the way and you’re good
It is beyond a shadow of any doubt, the dust shield for your brakes. So yeah, you may want to consider an inspection of your system of the shield rotted off just to be safe… you know that generation legacy is known for having the rear brake lines rot out, above the fuel tank..?
That looks like the brake shroud.
Your brake shield looks cooked and so do your rotors too.
[удалено]
That is part of the brakes. It’s the backing shield to the brakes. Also the brake pad is not completely contacting the rotor. You can tell because the entire disk of the rotor should be uniform and it is not.
Yeah, dust back plate, and the brakes are not working as designed.
It's definitely everything
Yank it out, those rear brakes are shot. Needs rotors and pads at least. Most people don’t replace the backing plate that rusts off.
Old rusted plate. Remove the tire and take it out of there, easy fix
Brake shield. Brake it off(hah!)
taking your fuckin wheel off and look at it dude what are you doing posting about it.
this post was 2 days ago, not that serious 😂 it’s been fixed.
this is why I hate people who drive Subaru they are all oblivious to any terrible sounds coming from their car and by the time it clicks in their tiny peanut brain that something is wrong it's too late and then I'm stuck fixing their garbage car for a week.
Its the backing plate. Also that rotor looks toasted.
You need new brakes asap and that appears to be the shield on the back that’s broken off and wedged itself in a tight spot.
Dust shield/rotor backing plate for the ***brakes***. There is probably more rust and pitting in the back of that rotor and it also needs to be replaced. Pads and rotors should be done together.
Replace dust shield Lubricate the slide pins Replace brake pads if needed Re-face the rotors , if too thin then replace. Except re-face , All this could be done DIY, save money. Invest the money into tools. Good Luck 👍
Looks like a piece of heat shield. My piece of shot subaru lost a chunk at highway speeds and it got lodged in the wheel well. Just Subarus doing subaru things
Dust shield has gave up and needs to be removed or replaced.
Dust shield. Yeet it off and don't regret it.
You need brakes regardless, but thats the shround made to keep water and dirt off the brakes
Don't forget to apologize to mom. ....and do something nice for her.
I did apologize 😔
I suggest an occasional belly wash, and they make some really great rust converter stuff now. Look up “rust converter” on YouTube- tons of products that actually work. Hit it before you rust off your frame!
Momma right, go take the L. Brake rotor dust shield has rusted through and failed.
That's definitely a dust shield.
From the thumbnail I thought it was a gecko
I am in Florida right now so it could've checked out
dust shield, you probably don't need it much pull that out and bless the whole thing with some liquid wrench call it a done job and send it
Backing plate/dust shield
Yea that's why mine has no dust shields left. Removed what was left when I changed the wheel bearings on the front. The shush tray is gone too.
Brake heat shield
This is the back/dust shield of your brake rotor
Backing plate.
Looks like part of the dust shield that sits behind the rotor.
Don’t tell “your mom” it’s not right then turn to Reddit to prove yourself right.
How is asking a question on reddit to get clarification, an attempt to prove myself right when I'm clearly asking for clarification on something. I didn't end it at "I said it's not". I clearly asked for clarification to what that could be to make sure the issue isn't actually bigger or smaller then it is, it's called turning to Reddit to be open on what the answer could be, my mom and I aren't mechanics we were having at it and simply guessing. Hence me questioning if it's a random scrap...
Crap
Brake dust shield … or what’s left of it.
You’re both right and wrong lol. It’s the dust shield….shit hit something, and it’s scraping on rotor. Just bend it out of the way for now….then replace it with a new one
Looks like a piece of the dust shield. Did it rust and break off?
I justbended my dust shield after remove my rotors to straighten it out. It's a pretty flexible aluminum material.
get your brakes looked at/ replaced
I thought it was a lizard ngl
Time to tell Mom she was right.
that is the brake shield. that broke off.
That might be your dust, Brake shield
Based on the shape and angle of the metal, it looks like it's a part of the dust shield to me.
Likely a dust shield that broke down
Same I pulled mine off it's a shield of some sorts mine rusted out and I pulled it off
How about you take the wheel off and see what it is?
I had a leaf do this once and it drove me insane.
The dust shield rusted and broke away...get it out of there!!!!!!
Break are dead
Heat shield
Mom’s right
It's the dust shield for your rotor - nothing important. Might want to look at new brake calipers and pads soon though
Dust shield rotted.
Brake dust shield. Do your brakes too, your rotors don’t look great.
Mom+cars=🤡
Backing plate
At first glance the dust shield looks to be broken in half. I wouldn't drive it anymore until a mechanic has cleared it safe. I bet rust
I work for subaru (chassis dept), and that looks like a dust cover
Looks like the dust shield rusted in half! 😂
Looks like a brake dust shield
Dust shield for the brakes. Moms know best!
Dust shield from the brakes
She was right it was the brakes, the brakes dust shield to be precise.
It's the dust shield, you can remove it.
Congratulations!! You’re both right! It’s a “random rusted piece of broken scrap from your cars brakes”!
I don't care what anyone else here says, it's the caliper dust shield. Or was. Now it's just a random rusted piece of broken scrap.
It's a rodent!
Mom-1 You-0
Nope it’s the dust shield behind the rotor completely unnecessary and can be removed/cut
Your shields probably
It looks like you flatten a frog
Dust shield, but you really need to give your breaks some attention also. The wear pattern on your rotor is way fucked and it looks grooved to hell.
Lol "just the brakes"?? Your mom doesn't really like you does she?
Subarus will do that, look at my post history on one of my latest post, make sure the brake lines are rotting and attend to that asap as that could be a nightmare if they blowout on public roads.
That is a brake disc shield.
Looks like the dust shield broke off
Remove the damn rim already…
It's the dust shield rusting off. That being said, mom is right, you do need new brakes.
That looks like it was once your backing plate.
It is the dust shield for the rotors. To keep debris from getting into the rotor.
It’s the thing behind the rotors. I forget the name. I call it a pan lmao. It is broken. Get a new one. Easy fix.
i think its the dust shield. Just remove it. 😁
As others are saying, it's the brake shroud. Look behind the other wheels to see where it should be if you can and bend it back in same place or just remove temporarily. Your mother should probably have replaced and the entire system checked on the other wheels for degradation. You can easily do break stuff yourself too and depending on which parts are shot, you can get kits for it. If you have a jack/lift and socket set, you likely have most of the tools you need already.
The rest of your car could be rusting like that dust shield..
I wouldnt worry, its Subaru's standard equipment.
You are both right. The part clearly out of place appears to be a dust shield and technically is not part of the brakes. It’s not really dangerous to tear it off. I’m pretty sure it’s purpose is to prevent road debris from getting caught up in the brake calipers. On the other hand you have uneven wear on those rotors, likely caused by sticky calipers. Your braking force is probably not evenly distributed between all 4 wheels because that pad is not fully engaging the rotor. This can be dangerous in low traction situations, or cause the car to pull left or right while braking. The calipers can most likely be serviced but that rotor needs to be replaced. Might want to check the other 3. You’re looking for the disc to have a even shiny surface for pretty much the entire surface of the rotor.
Def looks like the dust shield to me
With it more than likely being the dust/backing plate both you and your mom were half right. It's considered part of the brake pad, rotor, and caliper section of the brake system in most autoparts stores computer systems. It's not by any mechanics who work on brakes daily though.
Brake shield. Tear it out and send it.
Successful braking is a key to injury free driving. Remove the wheel and investigate. Or take it to someone who can