Metal covers on inside of rear wheels: Defender 110

There was recently a squealing and scraping from the area of a rear wheel. I discovered that a metal cover over the inside was twisted and damaged, so removed it. I also found that on the other side, the cover was missing. I've no idea since when.

So, presumably, I should replace these. I don't know what the part is called so hope someone can put me wise on this, maybe with a part number, too. Is it a spare part that's easy to obtain?

Thanks.

Dust cover? take em off and dont replace.

if your talking about the brake disc mud shields leave them off

mick the builder said:

Dust cover? take em off and dont replace.

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i must be getting slow

It happens to the best of us ;-)

Thanks for replies but they're not altogether clear. I noted that one cover was already missing and I took the damaged one off, so "take em off" is not quite applicable. Anyway, what's the reason for taking them off or leaving them off?

on a Hilux I once had I noticed the backplates were looking moth-eaten and made a mental note to take them off.. time I got around to it they'd gone!

They trap stones and mud against the disc.
On commercial vehicles they cause the brakes to overheat.