The present invention discloses a brake device for the wheels of an automotive vehicle which includes a wheel-sided brake drum and a vehicle-sided mud guard that engages in a non-contact manner with a circumferential web into an annular recess in the end surface of the brake drum opposite the mud guard in order to provide a labyrinth-type seal. In conventional brake devices, the mud guard along with a welded annular web typically has a two-part design. In contrast thereto, the present invention proposes that the mud guard be punched and deep drawn from sheet metal and that the circumferential web be integrally designed with the mud guard by noncutting shaping.