Where can you get dust shields for GSL-SE?
 

I'm a newbie and can't post in classified, so anybody know a source for rear brake dust shields? If any of you have a set and want to unload, I'm interested.
Thanks

Not finding them at Mazdatrix, so I think you're going to be limited to the For Sale section or your local Pick-A-Part (recycler). You might consider this a scavenger hunt and it will help you get to know the quality of the metal parts available to you in your area. Good luck,

They're not longer available from Mazda, but check:
Mitch's, Detroit 313-365-4844
All Foreign Auto, Mass. 800-831-0222

Those will be extremely hard to find! Someone should take the initiative to make replicas of them before too long. Besides finding a set in a partout or a scrap yard I'm not sure how you're going to find a set that is usable.

I think this would be a fun project to make. Maybe a design that doesn't require the axle bearing to be removed to be installed/removed. Maybe something like the one that has a cooling duct.

Excellent idea!

When I did my rear wheel bearings earlier this month, I was looking at that dust shield design and thinking seriously about cutting back everything but the brake hose mount. While it would be flimsy after removing the shroud, it would allow a lot more airflow around the brake rotor from the back side, and given that the -SE is the only FB with vented rear disks, I gave it serious thought.

In the end, I decided to keep them as-is, because finding replacements would be impossible. Turns out from this thread that I was right.

Living in the desert means that I don't have to content with rain splashing on them - like,... ever. Not sure if rear cooling ducts would help at all, as most of the braking is done at the front anyway. Still, a worthwhile effort to make parts that will surely be needed in colder climates which use salt and other corrosive road stuff.

Mazda had a good design in keeping the shield as part of the axle bearing,

One of my ideas when I was swapping axle bearings on a regular basis was to remove the retainer from the backing plate altogether and just mount the brake hose to the axle housing. Allstar sells some brake house mount tabs that work perfect with Mazda hoses with a little access slit.

Then I broke all of my spare GSL-SE axles, so no more 20 minute bearing swaps.

I would say the backing plates are necessary if you ever drive in rain. They keep the rotors from getting wet. I removed the front backing plates from my VW and when it was rainy, the brakes did nothing unless you dragged them for a few seconds first to dry them off and get them hot.

To the OP: I have a pair that I'll never use again. Where in Ohio are you at? I'm looking for some trim parts, maybe we can work a trade. My WTB list is on ohiorotaries.org (hint hint)

I'm down in Dayton area, and I don't have an RX7; I'm swapping the GSL-SE rear end into an old Datsun roadster. If you'll sell, I'm interested.

Also to all, I just found out from the Dutchman that one of my GSL-SE axles was bad and not repairable, so I'm in the market for a single GSL-SE axle if someone has one. And finally, I need one of these. If anyone has one, please PM me and let me know how much you want for these. Thanks!

Dutchman can do RX-7 axles? Very interesting! I had them make the axles for my 9", they're works of art.

I do most of my rallycrossing in the Dayton-ish area, but the season won't start up again for four or five months depending on the weather.

peejay, sent a pm. But I'll post here in case others have/know of something that can help me. I'm shortening and resplining the axle in my narrowed rear end (down to 23 11/16" from stock), so if the failure mode on axles is at the spline end, then perhaps I could use. How do axles typically fail?

23 11/16"... You got PM.

Peejay
Great meeting you last nite, even late. I measured the shafts and they are much longer than I need, if they are otherwise good the Dutchman should be able to use. Thanks again for meeting up with me.

Thanks, but peejay already took care of all my needs; dust shields, axles that I can shorten and the bracket that connects to the dust shield.

Thanks Peejay!

No worries! You can thank me by letting me see the car when it's done :) There's a Cars & Coffee in Middletown that I keep meaning to hit up.