Dust Shields and the NCT

psicic

Hi, just more of a heads up about dust shields and the NCT that most will probably be aware of (but I wasn't and didn't really get good info on the issue when I went looking).

Have a 2001 Freelander (first mistake, I know) that had dust shields around the front brake discs. For those that don't know, these dust shields (also called splash guards and brake disc shields) are just two thin pieces of metal that sit behind the brake disc. Unlike some other cars, on the Freelander they have no other components or anything mounted to them.

On the Freelander these are made of pretty thin metal and rust like no mans business. Have been meaning to get rid of them for a long while. Anyway, had NCT last week and they refused to test brakes because shield was insecure. Fair enough.

After looking online and talking to few (non-NCT) people, I decided to just take them off. Since I've dealt with two other Freelanders that had them already off, and general internet consensus seemed to be it's more hassel than they're worth to keep them on, I thought it was the best course of action as they are very expensive parts that don't serve much of a function.

Went back this morning and they refused to test the vehicle, this time stating it failed because the shields were missing (and again, they didn't run the brake test).

Not having too much of a rant about the NCT (though the idea of another test fee PLUS, from I can see, almost €150 in parts is killing me).

It's probably just an issue because the original rusty ones were still on when I went in initially - I've had two Freelanders sail through the NCT without these shields in previous years. Just thought I'd post here in case it helps someone else or in case this was something the NCT were going to be looking for going forward.

joujoujou

Well, looks like it was your own fault not to get rid of them shields before first test - now NCT lads know/remember they were there.

If I was you, I'd wait until re-test timeframe expires and go full test in another test centre, of course without any trace of dust covers. The advantage of that is there's no fail sheet involved, so no mention regarding rusted shields.

55 for full test would be cheaper than shields replacement anyway.

braddun

can you try a scrap yard


BMW E46 shield looks very similar 10 pounds on ebay

dr.fuzzenstein

I'm hoping mine makes it past the next NCT. In order for the dust shields to be replaced, the brake assembly and wheel hub assembly has to come off, something I do not relish.
The dust shields are in bad shape, bits if rusty metal held together by more rust.
Funnily enough when I asked at the Ford dealer about them, they where kind of laughing and saying they haven't heard of anyone changing these in 20 years and never stock them.

greasepalm

nct and new rules are a rule onto them selves ,if the person that is doing test has experience with those vehicles will know the weak spots.

wonder how easy for a metal fabricator to make them?

mickdw

I believe it is a new requirement of the test now.
These should be a 10 euro part for any car but it seems they are silly money alot of the time.

dr.fuzzenstein

mickdw wrote: »

I believe it is a new requirement of the test now.
These should be a 10 euro part for any car but it seems they are silly money alot of the time.

If you think that's silly, try fitting them!
As with me, a lot of vehicles will need brakes and wheel hub assemble removed, thats several hours work. Those 10 bucks can turn into 200 very quickly.

mickdw

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

If you think that's silly, try fitting them!
As with me, a lot of vehicles will need brakes and wheel hub assemble removed, thats several hours work. Those 10 bucks can turn into 200 very quickly.

Alot won't be a big job either. Was just looking at a rusty set on the back of an octavia the other day. Just the disc off and all is accessible then I think.

joujoujou

I heard some people cut them in half, put them on and splice somehow.

I was lucky enough - didn't have to go that far:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=87774078 (last 2 pics).

dr.fuzzenstein

mickdw wrote: »

Alot won't be a big job either. Was just looking at a rusty set on the back of an octavia the other day. Just the disc off and all is accessible then I think.

If you own a Ford, you're fcuked.

lomb

Its turning into like Japan. They want old cars off the road and people buying new ones by creating a stricter test .

dr.fuzzenstein

lomb wrote: »

Its turning into like Japan. They want old cars off the road and people buying new ones by creating a stricter test .

It's Europe in general. The aim is to destroy ourselves with more and more senseless regulations until every country is so mired in red tape that it becomes completely impossible to do anything. And just in case throwing millions of pages of regulation still won't shut us down, let's wham tax after tax on top of that.
So that on the end it will take years and millions to open a lemonade stand, while China and India can create space, nuclear and GM industries in the time and at a cost it takes the EU to open a sweetshop for the delegates.

slimjimmc

greasepalm wrote: »

:
:
It's probably just an issue because the original rusty ones were still on when I went in initially - I've had two Freelanders sail through the NCT without these shields in previous years. Just thought I'd post here in case it helps someone else or in case this was something the NCT were going to be looking for going forward.

The law changed in July of 2014 to include dirt shields. That is why previous you passed in previous years and also why you failed the re-test after you removed them. Nothing to do with previous testers seeing them.

(7) a brake drum/disc/backplate/dirtshield is missing, contaminated, obviously damaged, askew, or insecure.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2014/en/si/0322.html