At 18:56 10/16/99 , icculus wrote:
>Any suggestions on removing the brake backing plate when the dowel pin is
>holding it's own? I've tried the bang, pry, and lube thing and nothing. I
>also tried to heat it and add the lube as it cooled. I know you've all been
>there.

I wouldn't do this first <g> -- but one way that works is to twist the
pivot piece back and forth until it breaks the spotweld holding it to the
backing plate.  Keep on working it back and forth until it can be removed
-- the dowel pin will either stay in the pivot piece or in the
casting.  Then you can clean off the bump and re-weld or braze it back to
the plate.

I have to say, that spotweld seems to be more a matter of assembly
convenience than anything else.  The pivot is held on by the dowel pin and
bolts.  But I fastened it back anyway, just in case.

But having said that, my experience with twisting the pivot derives from
forgetting that the &(*#$ spot weld exists. :-/  When I decided a few
months ago that the righthand plate was a bit too much like swiss cheese
for comfort, I just drove the pin through with a drift.  I forget from
which side.

david

David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon.htm
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"