Brake spring unobtainable?

[67drake]

I took my ‘62 Meteor out for a drive yesterday. I heard a slight grinding on front passenger side while stopping. I found that strange, as the front brakes aren’t that old.
Pulled it apart today and the front passenger side drum had this spring loose in the drum, it obviously snapped.
Problem is I can’t find this spring anywhere, all the rest of the hardware, no problem. I also looked up ‘62 Fairlane, nope!
Any leads or ides?
Thanks

 

[KULTULZ]

I took my ‘62 Meteor out for a drive yesterday. I heard a slight grinding on front passenger side while stopping. I found that strange, as the front brakes aren’t that old.

Pulled it apart today and the front passenger side drum had this spring loose in the drum, it obviously snapped.

Problem is I can’t find this spring anywhere, all the rest of the hardware, no problem. I also looked up ‘62 Fairlane, nope!

Any leads or ides?

Thanks

... unbelievable ...

Here is a post from a MUST FORUM from 2004 -

Jan 28, 2004

#1

Hi Folks,

Need a little assistance here. I am rebuilding the drum brakes on my 66/289 (MUSTANG). Not yet ready to make the move to disc's on the front so the drums will have to do for a few more years.

My question and need for assistance has to do with one darn spring. According to Chiltons and Ford's shop manual there is a spring the connects the two front shoes called a "Shoe Retracting Assist Spring". It hooks into both shoes and runs horizontally just below the wheel cylinder. (On the rear wheels in this spot there is a steel bar that is the emergency brake something or the other.)

Well, I am missing one. None of the kits include this spring and I have checked with all of the major parts retailers to no avial. None of the Stang suppliers seem to have it either. Any suggestions on where I may find a one of these babies?

I have looked and cannot find the spring so it has been unavailable for some years. I also noticed that vendor front brake parts listings are not complete as I guess many have gone to FRONT DISC.

The FORD PN is (was) C2OZ 2035-D (10" FRT BRAKE)

It was also used on -

1962/63 METEOR - 1963-64 COMET

1962/70 FAIRLANE/FALCON

1964/1970 MUSTANG

And other years (list not inclusive).

Even dedicated MUST VENDORS list SPRING KIT as full kit but the assist springs are not shown.

I have a few coffee cans where I saved old brake hardware. Let me look through them and I will get back (may take a day).

 

[67drake]

... unbelievable ...

Here is a post from a MUST FORUM from 2004 -



I have looked and cannot find the spring so it has been unavailable for some years. I also noticed that vendor front brake parts listings are not complete as I guess many have gone to FRONT DISC.

The FORD PN is (was) C2OZ 2035-D (10" FRT BRAKE)

It was also used on -

1962/63 METEOR - 1963-64 COMET

1962/70 FAIRLANE/FALCON

1964/1970 MUSTANG

And other years (list not inclusive).

Even dedicated MUST VENDORS list SPRING KIT as full kit but the assist springs are not shown.

I have a few coffee cans where I saved old brake hardware. Let me look through them and I will get back (may take a day).

Oh boy! If they weren’t around 20 years ago, imagine finding one now! eBay showed a few NOS springs similar to, but nothing exact.
Thanks for looking!

 

[Gene F]

try rockauto. look in the first generation Mustangs section. Not sure which one in photo #3 it is...

 

[evintho]

Show us a pic of the spring mounted on the drivers side. Is it #9035 in the diagram pic? I assume it goes into the holes at the top of each shoe, right above the wheel cylinder. I don't remember a spring like that on any of the brake jobs I've ever done. This is my '54 with '68 Mustang brakes and hardware.

https://www.fordbarn.com/attachments/592537/

 

[67drake]

I know that exploded view is kinda tough to see, but I think it’s the 2035. It looks a little different as it’s broke in half and the hooks in the end appear to got ground down. Must’ve been broke for awhile.

 

[67drake]

I might be able to get out there later, but did find this pic on eBay.

 

[evintho]

Found something! Paste the below link into your browser.....

https://www.vintage-mustang.com/thr...-retracting-assist-spring-substitute.1243976/

Apparently, you can buy the spring for a Bronco, give it a couple of tweaks and it works well!
Here's where you can buy it.......
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Front-Brake-Retracting-Spring/productinfo/12566/

Looks like Eckler's has it too and theirs is 6-1/2" long. Might not have to tweak it!.................
https://www.ecklers.com/brake-shoe-retracting-spring-6-1-2-ford-32-15301-1.html

 

[Flathead Fever]

I was a mechanic for 30-yearss but that was over 15-years ago. Eis brand of brake parts made an illustrated brake spring catalog with the measurements and drawings of the brake springs. I'm sure you could find something that would work in that catalog. It might not be available anymore. You really should replace all of the springs, if one is worn out the others are too. In our fleet we used to replace all the hardware when they were close to ten years old, otherwise, after that the springs would start breaking. Technically you are supposed to replace the springs sooner than that. Do not leave any marks on the springs from pliers, they will break right on the dings the pliers leave. Always use brake spring tools to put them on.

 

[KULTULZ]

The spring shown for the F-100 and BRONCO are 7 1/2" OL - For 11" Brakes

 

[67drake]

Found something! Paste the below link into your browser.....

https://www.vintage-mustang.com/thr...-retracting-assist-spring-substitute.1243976/

Apparently, you can buy the spring for a Bronco, give it a couple of tweaks and it works well!
Here's where you can buy it.......
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Front-Brake-Retracting-Spring/productinfo/12566/

Looks like Eckler's has it too and theirs is 6-1/2" long. Might not have to tweak it!.................
https://www.ecklers.com/brake-shoe-retracting-spring-6-1-2-ford-32-15301-1.html

Hey thanks!
I ordered a 6.5” last night. The openings in the shoes that the spring goes into is roughly 7” apart, so I’ll give it a shot. If a little tweaking is needed, no problem.
It’s the end of the driving season here, so wanted to figure something out for the last few weeks of the season.

 

[KULTULZ]

You really should replace all of the springs, if one is worn out the others are too. In our fleet we used to replace all the hardware when they were close to ten years old, otherwise, after that the springs would start breaking. Technically you are supposed to replace the springs sooner than that.

Do not leave any marks on the springs from pliers, they will break right on the dings the pliers leave. Always use brake spring tools to put them on.

What this gentleman said ...

The springs also develop heat fatigue and lose proper tension.​

 

[67drake]

Well, I thought this would work , but the new springs are WAY too stiff and short. No way that it would work as is. I tried heating and stretching, which worked, but afraid the spring might be too brittle from heating it up, and snap or lose tension. I took it for a drive , and all is good, but I would like to find something that works better for the long run.
I ran out of time, so will look at the other side tomorrow. I did the side with the intact spring, so that I could compare to a new one. Pictured is the new spring stretched to fit. I think I might try the 7.5” spring posted above.

 

[Gene F]

Did you take the spring over to napa, with your picture? I think they can order you a Brake hardware Kit. Take it over, and get a counter person that is older, and seasoned. Stay away from the website, walk in.

 

[KULTULZ]

The spring is not going to be able to be duplicated,

Are the actual retracting springs new or fairly new? I would just go with them for now and watch/listen for any shoe drag. It will take a while while the self-adjusters take a final setting.

It is hard to believe no one offers that spring.

 

[evintho]

Well, I thought this would work , but the new springs are WAY too stiff and short. No way that it would work as is. I tried heating and stretching, which worked, but afraid the spring might be too brittle from heating it up, and snap or lose tension. I took it for a drive , and all is good, but I would like to find something that works better for the long run.
I ran out of time, so will look at the other side tomorrow. I did the side with the intact spring, so that I could compare to a new one. Pictured is the new spring stretched to fit. I think I might try the 7.5” spring posted above.

Yeah, the Bronco spring is what the guy over on the Vintage Mustang forum used. He said he had to tweak it a little bit. Looks like too many coils on that Ecklers piece. Good luck!

 

[Dodge]

Theres a company called rare parts, give them a shot.

 

[KULTULZ]

Call this SELLER - https://neperformancemustang.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3268

They list the spring as being available.

The actual spring is cataloged 1962-1971 so it was used to that point.

Quality parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Most that go to disc most likely can the take-off front drum system making it even harder to find older service parts.

 

[67drake]

Call this SELLER - https://neperformancemustang.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3268

They list the spring as being available.

The actual spring is cataloged 1962-1971 so it was used to that point.

Quality parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Most that go to disc most likely can the take-off front drum system making it even harder to find older service parts.

Thanks! I’ll give that place a try today!

 

[67drake]

Yeah, the Bronco spring is what the guy over on the Vintage Mustang forum used. He said he had to tweak it a little bit. Looks like too many coils on that Ecklers piece. Good luck!

Yeah, going by measurements, I thought this one would work better, but the spring is unbelievably stiff. The original one, that wasn’t broken, had to stretch maybe 1/2” when installed. This new shorter spring, and also stiffer, was impossible. I tried to make it work as is, it wasn’t possible.