How Do I Get Those Brake Springs Off?

Rex Smith

Rex Smith

Member
My car has '39 - '48 brakes on it. Trying to remove spring on rear brakes. Only one spring that spans between the shoes. Is there a tool for this?
 
Rex, it's pretty simple actually once you know how. No special tools.
The key is to start at the bottom.
I remove the retainers that hold the brake shoes on the lower pins, then, move the bottom of the shoes toward together until they cross each other.
Then you can remove the springs and so forth.
 
Bolts said:
Rex, it's pretty simple actually once you know how. No special tools.
The key is to start at the bottom.
I remove the retainers that hold the brake shoes on the lower pins, then, move the bottom of the shoes toward together until they cross each other.
Then you can remove the springs and so forth.
Click to expand...

Great idea. Sounds better than what I've always done - just clamp vice grips onto the spring and pull it off.
 
Brendan, I'm snake bit. I had a pair of those in my tool cabinet. Got it out and zipped that spring right off. My face is red. Thanks.
 
Rex-

Getting the shoes off is not really a major problem. However, getting the shoes back on with the retaining clips holding the shoe tight to the backing plate is another issue. What I have done with '35-'36 mechanical brakes (with dual springs) and pre-'49 brakes is to drill a pair of 1/4" holes in the backing plate. This allows me to mount the lower shoes on the bottom backing plate posts. Then I install the shoes into their respective retaining clips. This is followed by the attachment of the retracting spring(s) to their shoes. Once that is done I use the 1/4" holes as pry holes for a screw driver or punch pin, to shift the shoe outward to clear the wheel cylinder (hydraulic) or actuator (mechanical) and then let it drop into position. To remove the shoes you can reverse the procedure. It is simple, fast and the small holes do not affect brake action.

Tom
 
Brendan
there's a tool for every job. There's so many uses for that puppy,you amost need a instruction sheet.
 
flatheadfan said:
Rex-
Getting the shoes off is not really a major problem. However, getting the shoes back on with the retaining clips holding the shoe tight to the backing plate is another issue. What I have done with '35-'36 mechanical brakes (with dual springs) and pre-'49 brakes is to drill a pair of 1/4" holes in the backing plate. This allows me to mount the lower shoes on the bottom backing plate posts. Then I install the shoes into their respective retaining clips. This is followed by the attachment of the retracting spring(s) to their shoes. Once that is done I use the 1/4" holes as pry holes for a screw driver or punch pin, to shift the shoe outward to clear the wheel cylinder (hydraulic) or actuator (mechanical) and then let it drop into position. To remove the shoes you can reverse the procedure. It is simple, fast and the small holes do not affect brake action.
Tom
Click to expand...

Got a picture?
 
I use vice grips to grab the spring and pull it to one side. Get a good bite on the flat spot and it don't nick the spring. G.M.
 
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