Rear brake noise-rusty backing plate piece broke off

[vintagejoe]

'98 Legacy sedan 146K The driver's side rear brake started, all of a sudden, making a grinding noise as I would brake to a stop. I pulled the wheel off and discovered that the rusty, upper edge of the backing plate had broken off and a piece of it was hanging across the disc.

So I removed the offending piece and the I also removed the rest of backing plate that was the furthest gone. Now I don't hear the sound and the brakes are working fine.

As this is a car to "drive into the ground" please write back and tell me:

--Is this a safety issue?

--Is the backing plate crucial?

--If it is important, can I go w/o it for a while?

****Please write back ASAP as I urgently need the car this week.

Many thanks

[Legacy777]

The backing plate helps keep stuff out, but I believe the mounting hardware for the drum also mounts on there, so depending on where things are rusted, you may or may not have to replace it.