Narrowed 8 3/4 questions

I am thinking that the buttons are not there and that is the reason your backing plates are making contact with the drums, because you can not adjust your axles. Never heard of swapping sides with the adjuster. Someone else can correct me.
I feel ya there, but then how are they tight on both sides?

I need to take this apart and investigate.

Apologies. makin you guys play ouijie board with this.

pictures soon.