Protective plates on rear wheels brakes

Depends on whether you have rear drum or disc brakes. With drum brakes, the shoes and wheel cylinder are attached to a "backing plate". Those only need to be replaced when grooves have formed in the six raised spots, called "lands", the shoes ride on, or when an attaching point has rusted or torn out. That is more of a problem on older GM rear-wheel-drive cars.

If you have rear disc brakes, the caliper is mounted to a cast iron mount. The metal plate behind it is just a splash shield. Depending on why you want to replace them, consider getting them from a salvage yard.

I do have rear drums, and I see you call them "backing plate. I guess I have to take a further good look, because I believe the edges of those plates where pretty rusted and it happened a couple of times that a little rock got stocked on it and it was making a loud noise.
If I try to find them from a scrap yard, is that the proper name I have to use (backing plate).

My van has 150,000 miles (260000 kilometers).

Thanks a lot for your answer.
Eduardo

Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers, Ken

I've never replaced a backing plate for that. If you look at the outer edge of the drum, you'll see it has a groove the lip of the plate goes into. That is called a "labyrinth seal". It's typically that groove on the drum that rusts away. New drums are not real expensive. If you do need a new backing plate, since that is rather uncommon, I'd start by searching for them at a salvage yard. If you have a pick-your-own-parts yard nearby, you can find the best ones and remove them yourself.

I really appreciate your information.
Thanks a lot
Eduardo

Please use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Tell a friend please.

Cheers, Ken