73 Mk1 rear brakes

Doesn't the backing plate just lift out of the drum or is there something I'm missing here?
I took the wheel out with the drum still in the cush drives, seperated the drum from the wheel and wanted to look at the brake shoes, but the backing plate will not come off. The manual says it just lifts out. Does the dummy axle have to come out ?
I'm stumped here....what am I missing ?

Try activating the brake arm slightly while at the same time separating the brake back plate from the drum.The shoes wear the drum creating an outer ridge (the original drum dia' ) and when the shoes fully relax in a worn drum they are larger than the now outer edge .
Paul

HRD said:

Try activating the brake arm slightly while at the same time separating the brake back plate from the drum.The shoes wear the drum creating an outer ridge (the original drum dia' ) and when the shoes fully relax in a worn drum they are larger than the now outer edge .
Paul

Click to expand...

I can try that but I am thinking that the spacer is seized to the dummy axle, not allowing the plate to lift off. I'll try that tomorrow. Thanks