replace brakes without backing plate
 

How many people pull there rear end apart
just to replace the backing plates?

are you talking about the backing plate that the brake shoes sit on for drum brakes?

why tear down your rear end for that? Am i way off?

Unfortunately I have had to do this. I blew a pinnion seal and toasted the rear end in a 91 S10 extended cab truck and bought a used rear end out of a junkyard. The truck I bought it off of had been sitting on the ground on the backplates and they were beyond straightening. I took the ones off my original as well as all the brake parts.

Yes you are! He is referring to the backing plates on a disc rear.

Doesn't matter if it is a disk or drum rear. The axles have to be pulled to replace the backing plate.

Backing plate
 

I replaced my rear brake backing plate (dust seal) by cutting it with a hacksaw and twisting it to fit over the axle. I then straightened it out and bolted it up. Granted - it's not the preferred method - but sure beat the hassle of pulling the shafts out of the rear end. So far - it has been good enuff for a 13 year old vehicle, and a lot better than the rusted out - old backing plate.