i'm only familiar with the REAR brake/hubs, brake shoes and backing plates on a '41 ford. and i have no idea if your problem involves a mismatch between the backing plates and brake/hub castings or possibly axle tapers and brake/hub internal tapers.
but i do know that the REAR brake/hub casting on my '41 ford is of one piece and its proximity to the backing plate, when secured, is defined by the fit between its male taper, at the end of the rear axle, and the matching female taper inside the brake/hub casting. and the bearings look to be pressed into the brake/hub casting and have little to do with positioning. but rather, ride on a uniform, machined surface of the axle INBOARD of the axle's tapered end.
i know that if the male taper is too small for the female (a common and embarrassing occurrence!) the brake/hub casting can bind on the backing plate before the securing nut is torqued to spec. and may squeal loudly. under such circumstances there is suitable conically shaped shim material available for purchase that can be fitted 'round the axle's male taper to increase its girth.
