The dust plates behind my 4.2S/C rear brake discs are quite badly corroded around the holes where the hand brake shoe retainers fit and I want to replace them.

Can these plates be removed without removing the hub? If not, is removing the hub straightforward?

The hubs have to be removed to replace the plates and it can be a pig of a job to do the hubs if they haven't been removed/replaced before. When I did my front dust plate (also known as splash guards) the easiest way was to cut the new guard at the narrowest section, bend it to get it into position, then reweld the metal and apply a bit of paint prior to bolting it in place. Then you don't have the hassle of removing and replacing the hub assembly.

If it's just corroded around the bolt holes (very common) then the best thing to do is just get some oversize washers, put them under the bolts and use them to hold the plate in place.

As above really but to add, In removing your rear hubs, you will probably knacker up your wheel bearings etc by not using Land Rover hub pusher/puller tools... Large expense for a few washers...

Can I get away with just removing the drive flange that holds the wheel studs?

Unfortunately the whole assembly has to come off and as stated it's a pig of a job. Plus the time and costs involved to disassemble and reassemble the assembly doesn't really warrant the £25 odd cost of the guard.
Best just to cut, bend and tack weld a new guard/plate to get it in place, or use the oversize washers. Once the disc is back on, you wont see the guard anyhow.

I've even heard of a lot of people just cutting the old guards off and not replacing them as it's too much trouble.

This is the rear backing plate.
Personally I would just cut out the small section and allow it to slide into place and bolt it.
The front one is even less metal to remove.
Not absolutely necessary imo.



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Agree. That is hat I shall do. Many thanks.