The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Can't get brake springs in

I'm talking about the two piece hold down springs that hold the brake shoes to the backer plate, not the spring that connects the shoes to eachother. My '48's rear had one of these springs come loose and get ground up by the shoe. I bought some replacements from one of the large vendors, but can't get the thing in. I think it's too short. Anyone else have trouble with these?

Assuming you are using the correct tool the nail/brad may be too short. Your local Napa auto parts store should have a selection of different sizes. Maybe remove the one that didn't break for comparison.

Tom,

Send me a PM if you want me to stop by and take a look.

#8 & #9 - shoe hold-down pin and spring (the modern pin might be longer and there is a coil spring that goes under a round "cap")

pins, springs, and caps are n the left

Thanks, Tim, but those springs are entirely different from those on my '48. Mine has kind of a cone shaped spring, with a key shaped pin that goes down the middle. It has a hook on the end that's supposed to hook up to a small bracket on the backer plate.

Here's what they look like: brake hold down spring assembly

Those are interesting looking, Tom.

Those are springs for Huck brakes. I was able to install new ones on mine using a pair of pliers and a little effort. New ones are available from Jim Carter. The ones in the Classic Truck Parts link are for the later Bendix brakes.

Harold, the ones for the Bendix brakes were in the link Tim Lederman posted. I bought the ones from my link. Three of us have attempted to install them, with no luck.

Ya gotta hold the Tongue in just the right position.....

a pair of needle nose vise grips and a strong hand helps too....

...and don't forget the cursing.

I got the same spring kit that Tim showed which is for 2 wheels but it only came with 2 horseshoe shaped clips. Anyone know where those clips install?