"Chris F." > wrote in
:

> One more question about the '88 Civic. I've now got the front end
> taken
> apart, and I notice that the brake splash guards are totally rusted
> away - only the mounting screws remain, and they appear to be rusted
> in place. Should I be worried about replacing these (which involves
> removing the press-fitted wheel bearing), or could I just grind off
> the rusty screw heads and forget about it? I could also make and weld
> on some homemade splash guards from sheet metal.......
>
>
>



I'd replace them with new ones if I were you. Without splash shields, you
may encounter the odd hairy moment where your brakes partially disappear
when passing through deep puddles. New shields are not that expensive ($30-
$40?).

Grind off the heads of the old screws, but leave the stubs slightly proud
of the surface. You'll use those to locate the new shields. Scrape/chisel
off the remains of the old shields, so the steering knuckle mating surface
is clean and smooth.

You'll notice the new shields have a sort of "strap" that's left behind
where the brake caliper aperture is cut out of it. Grind that strap off,
but only cut off enough of it to allow the new shield to be worked over the
hub. The shield can flex quite a bit and still snap back to its original
shape again.

Notice how the hub has a couple of large holes in it? Use those to stick
your drill bit through, so as to make new holes for the new screws in the
steering knuckle. The new screws don't have to be very long; 3/8" is fine.
Locate the new screws near the old ones.

Install new screws. Done.

--
Tegger