Good points by 52 Carl and Hanks custodian!
My original replies were based on what I thought James was using for shoe retention, which sounded like the 1951 and later Bendix brake shoe hold downs (same as in the reference picture I posted above). My apologies if I misunderstood and gave bad info.
James - If you are working on Huck brakes (which would have been original to your truck) Chuck's above brake picture and described kit from Jim Carter (
MEB171) would be the correct style of shoe hold downs for you application, not the Bendix style ones noted. Trying to use the Bendix style hold downs might be what's causing your grief during installation.
Below is a picture of the Jim Carter spring/retainer kit for reference.
