TD9 SERIES B Track brace removal

I am putting new brake bands on a TD9 and am having trouble removing the track brace so I can knock out the brake band pivot pin. I removed the pipe plugs and tapped them 1/2 -13 so I could re install pipe plug and use a 1/2 bolt to push against dowel pins and it still wont budge. Is there any trick to remove this brace?

Thanks

TD9 SERIES B Track brace removal