Drivng home today heard a scraping noise, I pulled off the highway and looked at my left rear tire and saw a groove that was scraped into the inside of my left side factory rim.
I pulled off the tire and saw the rusted baffle plate hanging inside the rim.
I pulled the plate off put the tire on and drove away.
so
1. Shud I replace the baffle plate (its like $25.00 new)?
how much trouble is it to put on (the new one has a hole in the center so it looks like alot may have to come off to get a new on on there).
2. Do I really need it?

Inquiring minds want/need to know
The right side baffle plate looks like it is gonna fall off too.

 

It functions as a splash shield to keep water and junk off of the rotor. I would replace them. You have to remove the hub that the wheel bolts on to. Not really that hard to do, one nut and pull it off. But the nut is on tight. It is torqued to 138 to 188 lb ft. Also, be careful of the ABS sensor.

right side part numbers:
44150-2Y000 04/1999 to 06/2001
44150-4U000 06/2001 and on

left side part numbers:
44160-2Y000 04/1999 to 06/2001
44160-4U000 06/2001 and on