36 Ford brake cross shaft spring

P

PeterinNH

Senior Member
I'm currently on the last stage of changing the ring and pinion gears in my
36 Humpback. Before connecting the driveshaft to the universal, I'm
attempting to install a new return spring on the brake cross shaft. Here's
the problem. After attaching one end through the center hole in the cross-
member, the spring has to be stretched nearly another 2 1/2 inches in order
to secure the other end onto the single clevis pin that holds both rear brake
rods. There is an enormous amount of stress on the spring already and I've
only, so far, been able to hook the end over the end of the lower metal
floor pan at the end of the torque tube opening. I still have at least another 2
inches to go before I can even think about hooking the end over the pin. It
seems like there is a massive amount of tension on this spring almost like it
is way too short for the application. Before I go to the trouble of stretching
it the rest of the way, is it always this much work to attach this item? If there
is someone currently attempting to accomplish the same task, please let me know
what you have encountered. Thanks.
Peter
 
are you sure you have the right spring because i have my orig spring off now & it only has about a 2in total stretch to the pin----dave
 
The way I did this is made a ring of wire and slipped it over the spring and used a ratcheting tie down to the front axle....one end on the wire, the other around the axle and stretch the spring until it slips on the clevis...... not the safest thing I've done but it worked for me twice...
 
prter--- use a coat hanger put a hook on one end to grab the spring & put a loop on the other to hook your finger in to pull with---dave
 
Mike,

Did you find your spring had an enormous amount of tension ? So much
that it was impossible to pull it by hand? I'm surprised the cross shaft needs
such a strong spring.

Peter
 
Dave,

I don't have an original spring. It's a reproduction. Perhaps your spring
has a shorter distance to travel because it is somewhat stretched from
usage? At any rate the tension is unbelievable. As I mentioned to Mike, I'm
surprised it has to be so strong.

Peter
 
A lot of tension indeed! I did what Mike is suggesting and it has worked a couple of times. There is no way you could pull this spring on by hand.
 
That coat hanger trick workd very well. I just used to pull the spring to the cross shaft on my '35.
It helps if the cross shaft is all the way back (no tenson on it). It makes the pull shorter.
 
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