Hmmm. Kyle M, I'm working on that. From looking at the original setup, I think the stud bolt with its washer and spring was inserted into the back plate and then the "muffin tin " was engaged onto the stud end on the inside of the back plate. That is when the swaging takes place. I have four marks where a punch flared out the end of the stud bolt. I'm thinking the factory had some sort of jig to hold the works together before a press may have completed the task in one stroke. Swaging it back together is difficult if you have the back plate still on the axle. So I think others have suggested brazing or tig welding it back together for a more dependable result.
I have thought of making a new stud bolt by cutting off the head of a 3/8" dia. bolt, filing the shank of the stud to fit the muffin tin and weld that together on the bench. Having a threaded end attached to the muffin tin allows me to reassemble the entire brake and put a double nut with the spring and washer on the outside of the back plate later. Not original and some may cringe at the suggestion but possibly a alternate route.
Basically, I don't feel skilled enough to do that tricky weld in place and under the truck. I could use a more experienced guy to set us both straight. Don't want to mess this part up!
Ricster
