Remove/install rear backing plates?

[Thearne3]

Hi all,

Rebuilding my brakes and had a hard time removing the backing plates with the radius rods and actuating arms in place. Les Andrews makes no mention of the difficulty of removing the plates with actuating arms in place. What’s the right way to remove and install without damaging the actuating arms?

At this point they’re off and I’d like to reinstall without damaging any newly painted parts. Less swearing would be good too!

Sorry if this is covered in the forum - did a search, but found nothing. Probably too easy to solve for everyone else!

Thanks,
Tom