Cantilever brake question on vintage MTB..
Tech question.. help please. I'm attempting to fix up this mid 80's Stumpjumper that I bought. I tried replacing brake pads and found the original cantilever brakes to be very hard to adjust. I bought new basic shimano cantilever brakes (going for functional town bike, not period restoration). Today, while installing them I found the bolt hole/pivot post thingy was full of mud from a wasp trying to make it a nest. I cleaned out the mud, started installing the bolt that holds the brake caliper, it got stiff, instead of backing it out and cleaning it better I doubled down, went for broke, stripped it, it did not go all the way in. I eventually got it out with vice grips but before doing so I noticed that the spring tension was not working. I had to really wail on the thing to get it off. Now, I am wondering if I expanded the post/bolt receiver by driving the bolt in so aggressively while there was still mud in there? I know this is a total dumbass move.. I am a pretty bad bike fixer, learning everything the hard way.. but, has anyone ever had a similar issue? Anyone think I could grind down that post so the brake can pivot and the spring can function? I love this frame, I feel dumb.. any advice or punishing criticism welcome ... Thanks !