Bent Brake Anchor Pin

[joelkwood]

I'm replacing the rear drum brakes on my 73 Bronco. One of the anchor pins is bent downward about 1/8". Any recommendations for how to bend back or replace? Can't find any info on the web. Thanks.

 

[904Bronco]

Pin that goes through the backing plate and holds the shoe in place with two washer looking piecces and spring? Buy a spring kit from auto parts store, it will have new pins/springs, etc.

 

[joelkwood]

No, it is the “fixed” pin at the top - the 12 o’clock position. Thanks.

 

[savage]

No, it is the “fixed” pin at the top - the 12 o’clock position. Thanks.

You mean the one that the brake shoes sit on then the t plate goes on then the two springs connect on?

 

[joelkwood]

That's it. It is bent downward.

 

[gnpenning]

Any idea in how it got bent, was it interfering with the shoes??

Do you see any cracking anywhere?

Depending on the above, some support on the backside and a little hammer work, watching for fatigue you should be okay.

 

[joelkwood]

No idea. Just bought the Bronco. It's in pretty bad shape. The drum brake mechanisms were all removed when I bought it. Don't see any cracking. There's not a lot of room for hammering but will give that a shot. Hopefully it won't break off.

 

[DirtDonk]

That’s an odd thing to get bent up. Probably took a fair amount of force to get it in that condition in the first place.

If you are completely rebuilding your axle assembly, including new axle shafts, and it’s a large bearing set up already, you have the option of buying all new brakes including backing plates.
But they’re only available in the 76/77 large brake size, so you have to have a large bearing and large bolt set up to begin with.
And already be buying new axles because of the different offset. But it’s at least another option under the right conditions.

 

[joelkwood]

I wonder if I could heat it with a torch and bend it back without trying to hammer it??

 

[DirtDonk]

Is the backing plate behind it tweaked as well? Maybe a piece of heavy wall tubing placed over the large register of the base could be used to hammer it down on a hard surface. Maybe re-flattening the plate could straighten the pin?

Would definitely like to see pictures showing the details.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I would skip the heat. There is a chance there is a heat treat done and you could screw that up.
The heavy wall tubing, or even a huge cresent wrench will probably fix it. easy, not overthinking it.

 

[joelkwood]

I uploaded a picture into an album. Hopefully, you can see that.

 

[jamesroney]

I looked at your pic. It’s the return spring pin part of the anchor pin. You will want to heat it cherry red with an acetylene torch, and then it will straighten easily. Let it air cool. Better than 50/50 that you will break it off if you try to bend it cold. It’s not a hardened piece. But it might be a little work hardened from being bent.

 

[joelkwood]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Steve83]

DON'T torch it. Just rest a big prybar on the axle flange & pry the pin back up gently, checking frequently.