1957 Thunderbird Brake Rebuild

[1967 Camaro]

Rebuilding the brakes on the '57 Thunderbird and I noticed something missing from my front brakes. Everything looks good except the horizontal spring in the image I found on the internet. Is this spring necessary? The pic without the spring is one of my front brakes. Have not looked at the rear ones yet. Thanks for any commentary/advice.

 

[scicala]

I don't think that is needed. Never saw it on 50's Fords. probably just added by someone to assist the shoes in returning.

Sal

 

[dmsfrr]

Here's where that first photo came from...
The horizontal spring under the wheel cylinder is an original part.
Using it shouldn't hurt anything and may help, or Henry wouldn't have spent the $ to put it there.

https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/brakes/