i just got my rear wheel bearing changed yesterday, and afterwards, i noticed that the dust cover which is behind the brake rotor is no longer there...obviously the technician working on it forgot to put it on, and i'm wondering if it's ok to drive around without it

i wont be able to get it put back on until next week, so should i wait until then?

 

Shouldn't harm anything for the short term. Just for protection.

 

does it actually protect anything?

or just keeps brake dust away?

 

Actually the "dust shield" protects the rotor/brakes from road debris eg. mud, dirt, cinders etc.

 

Good luck putting the dust shield back on. The bearing will have to be pressed out again and a new one pressed in.

 

Cut the shield and slip in place. No bearing removal required.