Freelander TD4 Disc Brake Backing Plates

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M

mediaseller

Member
Posts
61
Hi all.

I took my Freelander into the garage today for new front discs & pads because the Front NS brakes were squealing and there was access wear on the discs. It's a 2002 TD4 version one.

On collection the mechanic advised that the Front OS brake backing plate is fouling & noisey - plate is badly deteriorated & cannot be repositioned. The noise he refers to is like a deep whining & it only happens occasionally on braking. He also recommended that both sides be done. Total cost of £150.

It did not do it before the work was done so I hazard a guess that he distorted it during the repairs & cannot get it back to where it was before (or perhaps he introduced the fault for more income potential).

I moved to this garage on recommendation and are part of the good garage scheme. Up to now they have been good although they keep recommending stuff on my wife's Fiesta when it goes in for work.

I have read elsewhere on the Landyzone that these back plates are not really required and can be safely removed. Is this strictly true and could I just cut them off myself for free?

As ever your help would be appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation. :)
 
Last edited:
To be fair, these can be complete swines to deal with when they get old and it may be that they're fouling on the new, thicker disks. Strictly speaking they're not really necessary but they keep road dirt off the back of the disks and should keep stones out.

They also stop the heat of the disks cooking the oil in the bottom of the shocks.

In reality you probably won't notice a difference without them, unless you drive like a loon.
 
Thanks B34R that's what I thought.

I'm really tempted to just take them off though I will be going to France in September (though not at gee-whiz miles per hour), so may look into it further.

:)
 
The steel that the front backplates are made of is absolute ****e. It's a common problem, just rip them off where they are rotten. Removing them is not a MOT fail and removal will not affect the braking or the shocks in any way. Mine have been removed for 3 years and I have no problems with grit, dirt or disc scoring.
 
Irishrover said:
The steel that the front backplates are made of is absolute ****e. It's a common problem, just rip them off where they are rotten. Removing them is not a MOT fail and removal will not affect the braking or the shocks in any way. Mine have been removed for 3 years and I have no problems with grit, dirt or disc scoring.
Click to expand...

+1 my TD4s have both been running without back plates for over 18 months no problem
 
Mine are rusted completely through along the top edge so i'll be taking mine off this week at some point as well!
 
Typical penny pinching by LR.
The rear backplates are made from thicker steel because the brake shoes and cylinder are attached to them. The fronts are just shields so they are made from paper thin material.
I have never had the problem with all the other cars I have owned including a Disco, Classic and P38.
Replacements are available but they are only genuine LR parts and the price will make your wallet hurt and your eyes water :eek::eek::eek:
 
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