Chain adjuster issue

[mobile mouse]

Hi,
I was adjusting the chain for slack last night and the axle did move back reluctantly. Especially on the brake caliper side it really looks crudded up.
So I took off both nuts on one side but I could not get the end plate off. To clean inside.
 
Can it get really crudded inside with winter riding that this endplate gets stuck.
Has anyone else suffered this. I didn't want to resort to any heavy handedness till I know if it just requires a tap with a screwdriver and hammer to knock off the end plate. I don't want to damage the threads.
I looked at some pictures of the endplates and they have 4 corner pieces which I am assuming are crudded up with road salt inside the swing arm.
 
Any help would be appreciated.

[HaVoC]

Pretty sure the plate is a part in its own, there is a parts manual knocking about on here that should show an exploded diagram of the swing arm. It's probably as you say though, crystallised salt holding it in, use a rubber or nylon mallet to tap it out.

[johna6968]

More than likely find the small drain holes in the end caps are blocked too... Remove them, clean and ensure holes are free from debris.. Dont be surprised if water has built up in the swingarm.. Bit of copperslip grease sparingly around that area wouldnt go amiss..

[His Dudeness]

The arm that stops the caliper rotating has to move a bit when you adjust the chain. That's probably stuck too.

[mobile mouse]

I didn't know there were drain holes.
Looked last night and the end plate on the caliper side is upside down the drain hole is on top.
Probably done 2-3years ago last time the tyres were changed.
This is probably the reason the chain adjustment has been getting more difficult on that side.
I will need to take it apart and get the plate off and clean all behind.

[johna6968]

As far as I'm aware there should be a slot both top and bottom on the end caps so there shouldnt be a right or wrong way up either side..

[mobile mouse]

Once they are off I can clean them up.