Achipmunk I did that very thing and it did not work. The parking brake won't stay down/engaged... the wire diameter and overall diameter of the spring are the same .. so I question if the heat treating is the same as a "parts catalog " spring.... ... I wonder it I put a hardened washer between the bottom of that flat bar and the top of the spring if that would work... seems like the locking flat bar the round rod goes through is just not getting enough bite. .....
I was excited to see you too have a 52 panel !! sweet ride fella!!