Wanted Backing plate - '98 7.5" axle, 10" brakes, passenger side

[djjauntyj]

Hey all... recently the passenger rear wheel on my '98 2WD SuperCab had an unfortunate run-in with a curb. The impact destroyed the wheel and bent the axle shaft and brake backing plate slightly. It's a 7.5" LS axle with the bigger 10" brake drums (not 9"). Now, I have all the new parts lined up *except* that backing plate, because of course out of all the possibilities, only the 10" right rear one -- F57Z-2211-A, the one I need -- is the one they discontinued. 9" ones are plentiful, and you can still get the 10" driver's side one, ffs.

So I guess two questions: does anyone have any suggestions for finding one aside from driving to every wrecking yard in Western Washington on the chance there's one I can pull? (which, seeing as how you have to pull an axle shaft to get it off, sounds like a nightmare.)

Or, has anyone had any luck straightening a bent backing plate? FWIW I believe it's bent/warped at the mounting pad where it bolts onto the axle tube flange.

Thanks in advance!

 

[NakedDucks]

Why not just simply get another axle?

 

[pjtoledo]

that came up a few months ago. try a search, you should find some good info there.
I seem to recall the left & right plates are same except for the E brake cable hole.

 

[Bgunner]

pjtoledo is correct, this came up not all that long ago and the left and right are the same except the hole for the brake cable. You need to punch the cutout out of the way for the opposite side. The hole is there but with a metal tag over it that needs to be removed.

 

[djjauntyj]

Why not just simply get another axle?

- Scouring the yards for a whole new rear end (meaning driving out there and physically looking; yards never know what specific rear ends they have unless it's high-performance or something special)
- Finding the *right* one (not trying to change ratios, give up LS, etc.)
- Pulling it (maybe they'll pull it or have pulled it?)
- Transporting it (remember, my Ranger's down, so this means renting a truck)
- Removing the old/installing the new (unfortunately I'm in a cramped, rough, sloping driveway and not a spacious shop with a nice flat, smooth floor)
- Disposing of the old one
...you get the picture. It quickly becomes not all that simple! Especially when ordering and swapping an axle shaft is relatively easy/inexpensive, or should be, anyway.

 

[djjauntyj]

pjtoledo/Bgunner, I didn't realize this might be the case until I got the old one off... I couldn't tell if it's perfectly symmetrical but it sounds like it is, or it's at least close enough, I imagine! If I can't get my old one straight, this would be a fine plan B. Spendy ($160+!), but they're out there. I'm sort of thinking they're not being made anymore either, but there's still a quantity lingering in the parts channels, hence the cost. It doesn't actually look as though there's a knockout for the brake cable, so it'd have to drilled/punched and painted, unless I'm mistaken.

(Btw I did find the thread from just a few months ago re: this. Thanks for the insight, guys!)