What is so special about the rear backing plate on a rear disc setup...

[GRWeldon]

... that it requires 3 hex bolts with torn socket inside the hex...and that they seem to be lock-tited in? Mine was looking a bit crusty so I figured I'd remove it, clean it up and repaint it.

NO GO! Although I could get them to turn a bit, they were so tight I thought they might break so I carefully tightened them back up and decided to leave the plate in place.

Is there something behind the plate that requires such measures to keep it in place?

 

[XR7-4.6]

Ford way overengineered those, I changed to shorter bolts after fighting with them enough

 

[MadMikeyL]

They are lock-tited in place too. I use heat and an impact to get them out, then hit them on the wire wheel to clean up the threads before putting them back in with some anti-seize.

 

[Zep5.0]

Is there a generic replacement backing plate that would fit? I was thinking about replacing mine, but had decided to leave them off.

 

[Grog6]

I'd also like to replace a couple. I had one start rubbing on the tbird, and it got ejected one morning on the way to work.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Honestly off seems fine, I kept mine on only because the backing plates I have are in surprisingly good condition, but there are cars that don’t even come with backing plates at all.

As far as generics, nothing I imagine would fit without at the very least clearancing for the caliper and positioning/drilling the bolt holes, it’s a pretty specific design. It wouldn’t be rocket science to make your own out of sheetmetal either, it’s not like they’re a balanced moving part

 

[Grog6]

Someone with a metal shop could turn these out cheap. metal cutter, bead roller, edge roller .

 

[dDUBb]

I don't think so

 

[KevinVarnes]

Glad I'm not the only one. When I did a rear wheel bearing this past winter I remember thinking "boy they REALLY didn't want those dust shields falling off".

 

[XR7-4.6]

I got reminded today I’m a cheapskate… when I said I changed to shorter bolts I meant to say I took a cutoff wheel to the stock ones, apparently

 

[Sniper83rdID]

I got reminded today I’m a cheapskate… when I said I changed to shorter bolts I meant to say I took a cutoff wheel to the stock ones, apparently

View attachment 6872

I mean, hey, it worked... lol

 

[Grog6]

Those bolts were a bitch to get a ratchet on.

 

[GRWeldon]

I got reminded today I’m a cheapskate… when I said I changed to shorter bolts I meant to say I took a cutoff wheel to the stock ones, apparently

That's exactly what I would have....I mean WILL do! As far as getting a ratchet on them, I couldn't get any socket/ratchet combo to fit except for my 1/4 drive, but I wasn't about to use it. I ended up with an offset box-end wrench and it was even tight...