To remove the E-brake from the rusted backing plate, I used
a propane torch to heat the plate at the hole.  This made the
plastic soft enough to slip out.  On the other side I just pulled
real hard. DO NOT DOE THIS, as the plastic will break.

Remove the fork from the bottom mount, with pliers.
You can use washer under this, to shim the shoes
                               Eric

Tim Demarest wrote:

> Oh great sages of the list...
>
> Anyone BTDT and know how to get the e-brake cables to come off the rear
> brake backing plate?
>
> I'm replacing rear wheel bearings on my Westy, and since I'm taking the
> brakes apart anyway, I want to clean up and POR-15 the backing plates...
> I've got one brake apart, and now have the backing plate attached to the
> van by only the e-brake cable. I'd like to get it detached from the
> van, so
> I can do the cleanup/painting in the garage (where it's warmer).
>
> On another note, I need to shim the bottom of the brake shoes slightly, I
> recently replaced them, but I've got wear only on the tops of the shoes.
> What's the recommended method for shimming these? Do I just slip thin
> slivers of shim stock between the shoes and the lower mounting pins,
> or do
> I need to pull the mounting pins, and insert shim 'washers' under
> them? Is
> aluminum good enough, or do I need to pick up some brass shim stock?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Tim
>
>