Removing rear shock links

[dwaynec]

I am trying to remove the rear shocks from my '37 standard former. I just can't get the bottom of the link where it connects to the rear spring mount to break free. I have removed the drum but the short of the link is still half hidden behind the brake backing plate so I can't get a direct shot at it with a brass drift. I think my only choice is to remove the backing plate, but figured I would ask here before I go to a lot of extra work. I should add that my car has been converted to what looks like '39 hydraulic brakes. I don't want to use a pickle fork and ruin a perfectly good link. Does anybody have a simpler solution?