The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Huck Brake Rebuild

Rebuilt the Huck brakes on my 50 Chevy 3100 but have a couple of questions, notice the hold down springs which were on the truck when purchased I tried to replace them with the conical springs and "J" hooks but the hooks were not long enough to go through the backing plate. I ordered a set from a different distributor but they to were short. The truck does not have these springs on the rear and there is no hole on the backing plates for them. After looking at the fronts it seems the springs may interfere with the movement of the shoes during braking? These Hucks are a learning experience. Also notice I used the E Clips sold by Chevs of the 40's after having trouble securing the original clips. Any help appreciated.


[img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/f89twutvrc9bj10/IMG_20190425_141608839_HDR.jpg?dl=0[/img]

Clean installation in the pic. Looks like you're also renewing the steering, etc. Good work.
Maybe this page, etc. from the 48-51 Truck Shop Manual will help. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm0502.htm
The original springs and pins pictured don't look like the ones you have.
I redid the Hucks on my 50 3600 years ago, and I don't remember exactly what the springs look like.

The J-hooks are not designed to go through the backing plate. They hook into a small L shaped bracket which is spotwelded to the backing plate. (That explains why they are "too short.")
If there is no evidence that the backing plates ever had these brackets, such as marks where the spotwelds used to be, then I would surmise that they do not require these springs. Some years did not have them.
Carl

Those are nice shoes. Notice the chamfer at the tips of the linings. Those are very important on Huck brakes.