Bent Front Backing Plate ? or Bent Front Spindle ?

[Glenn C.]

What would be the best proceedure to use to verify whether the front backing plate is bent, or could it be possible for a front spindle to be bent. If it is possible the spindle is bent, what test proceedure could a guy use ? I have already tried the drum with the bearings on the spindle and found that the O.D. of the drum was closer at the bottom than at the top by 1/16" at least. When I mount the brake centralizing tool on bearings to the front spindle, the tool touches at the bottom of the backing plate, and is separated when turned at the top. I am peeved that I may have to locate and retstore a different spindle.

I do have another backing plate that I could try for a test.

Curious for suggestions ??

 

[Doug in NJ]

Can you temporarily mount the backing plate upside-down, and re-measure?
If the spindle is bent, is is likely bent at the thin part, where the taper ends. See if it looks crooked.

Doug

 

[columbiA]

Backing plate most likely bent.Give it a good hit on the bottom to straighten it out.Maybe it lost a wheel in a past life,if so there would likely be a flat spot on bottom of b-plate.

 

[Glenn C.]

Good idea about mounting the backing plate upside down and re-gauging it. I will also recheck again to see if there is a worn spot on the bottom, or it suffered a strike at one time or another. Thanks for the suggestions !