Is the Disc brake backplate needed?

[Luna X]

I'm doing the front brakes and the backplate is rusted bad and loose.
It drags on the disc I tried bending it alittle but its just cracking.
Is the backplate needed or can I just take it off? the other side is just as bad.
THANKS STEVE

yes, you should keep the plates on there.

I believe "sleveritt" just posted some for sale...

[nfpgasmask]

I'd keep them as well. However I have heard that some people who do a lot of mudding take them off to keep things from getting trapped between the dust sheild and the back of the rotor. But personally, I woudl keep them. If you can't find a used set, call Merlin. But I would try used first, car-part.com might be a good place to start.

Bart