Brake/Clutch return springs

35fordtn

Well-known member
I am trying to ID tons of brake clutch pedal retracting springs. Can anyone post or email any pictures and measurements of true originals? Looking to figure out all the different 1932-39 Springs. Thanks! driskellracing@gmail.com
 
Danny, approximately how many different variations of springs do you think you may have? Perhaps another approach would be a picture or two showing the different variations you have and label them A to ? Along with there basic dimensions. From that information maybe we can help ID some of them for you.
 
John,
This is actually Michael, but I have at least 13 variations. I will work up some pictures this weekend. I have (I think) positively ID'd the 32 clutch/brake ones, and the 33-34... 1935-36 I would have to argue with common belief, as to what is right. Again this weekend I will lay out what I have and repost on here.. The springs on my 32 are identical to what I have seen as to be correct. My 33 is still in question.
 
For whatever it's worth... there was a thread, couple days ago, that had to do with 46-48 brake return spring, and it led to a discussion that included other springs, and, a couple posts that had picts. Not all inclusive like you would like, but a start, maybe. Also, note that dimensions are in the green parts book for many (if not all) the springs. Examples...
xx-7523 clutch spring...
32 pass & comm = 3-3/16-in
32-34 truck = 4.18-in
33-34 pass = 2.7, later changed to 2.81
35-36 pass & comm = 3.44
37-38 pass & comm = 2.81
38-47 truck = 8.40
39 pass & comm = 5.40
42-47 pass, 39-47 comm, 38-47 one ton, 35-47 truck, all = 3.20
merc, yrs not listed = 7.60
40 pass, 40-41 comm = 17.30
41-48 pass = 7.30

For brake return springs, xx-2472 (truck), or xx-2456
39 truck = 5.70
40-47 truck = 10.25
32 pass, comm, truck = 3-1/8-in
33-34 pass, comm, 35 truck = 2.40
37-38 pass, comm = ?
41-48 pass 6-cyl = ?
39 truck = 5.70
42-47 comm, 40-47 truck = 10.25
35-36 pass, comm = ?
39 pass, comm = 17.30
41-48 pass = 7.60

These are some of them. More info in the parts book, especially under trucks. My parts reference is the 'so-called' green bible.
Just opinion.
 
Yes indeed I saw these measurements in the green book, but for example there were two different diameters of the springs and on the earlier cars the ends were bent in a "v" shape whereas some were not. Also I have found the lengths in the book to not be exact on the early ones. The tough part is like I have 23 40-7523 springs with the ford tags still attached but they are not all the same.
 
Whoops, sorry Michael. Every time I see the name Driskell I think Danny for some reason :).
I know I have some original '35-'36 brake & clutch pedal return springs. Some of the repro springs sold by the suppliers are not like the originals.
 
Whoops, sorry Michael. Every time I see the name Driskell I think Danny for some reason :).
I know I have some original '35-'36 brake & clutch pedal return springs. Some of the repro springs sold by the suppliers are not like the originals.[/QUOTE]

That sadly can also be said about many repro parts.
 
I have noted the difference in 33-34 springs, check your tags do some of the springs end in the -A suffix? This could be the difference. Send me a PM on other springs. I believe 35 brake and clutch is the same spring.
 
IMG_5993_zpsd12fcbb1.jpg
 
A. 51-2472 1935-38 truck and 1939 COE 4-1/4" long hook and "v"
B. 48-2472 1935-36 6-5/8" long hook and "v"
C. (2 variations) B-7523-A and B-7523-B 1932 3-1/4" long hook and "v"
D. (2 variations) 40-7523 and 40-7523-A 1933-34 2-3/4" long hook and "v"
E. B-2472 (bottom) and 40-2472 (top) 3-1/4"
F. 48-7523 1935-36 3-1/2" hook on both ends
G. 3-3/4" application unknown??? hook and "v"
H. 3-7/8" application unknown ???? hook and "v"

Here is a gathering of what I have... These are all Ford tagged NOS (bottom two the tag had torn) I have disregarded Reproductions as I dont know of their accurateness. Ford clearly had small and larger diameter spring when speaking on the early years.. Some had a Hook type end and what I call a "v" shaped end. The 32-34's clearly had one end as a "v" to hook into the frame. It shows the 1937 spring as the replacement in later years for the 40-7523-A spring which is confusing to me as I didn't think any of the 37 springs had that "v" end.. All of these were Ford tagged, which may or may not mean anything and I have disregarded the Grren Book for this. I have always understood that 32's had the small diameter spring and the 33-34's had the larger.. I have to disagree to that as I have seen many 33's recently with the smaller springs. The other curveball is the Spring letter "c" which I have in both size diameters both tagged as B- 7523
 
Mike, cant tell from your photo how long they are, but

-spring B looks like the 35-36 brake rod retracting spring, s/b appr 6 ½- 6 5/8 long 48-2472

-spring F looks like the 35-36 clutch pedal retracting spring, s/b appr 3 ½ long 48-7523

Hope this helps… keep me in mind, I need the F spring.


Jim
 
Regarding 33-34 pass, comm... please keep in mind there are more than one pedal assy for these years. I've run into TWO for pass, comm, not counting trucks. The leverage ratios are different for these two. I am not sure if this has any effect on the spring, and I'm offering this as a possibility on why you might have two different springs marked 33-34. I only offer questions, not answers... :)
 
I think we all only offer questions.. and will never have all the answers.. Researching is the whole fun of it
 
Regarding Post # 12 and Diagram D springs, I found that my '33 brake spring is the larger spring and my '33 clutch spring is the smaller spring. I bought a replacement spring for my clutch and received the larger one instead. The tension from the larger one though is so strong, that is pushes my floorboard up. I will have to find the smaller one that doesn't retract so much. Are there any suggestions as to how to install it? I seems to be quite a task inserting the spring in the small frame hole and then trying to hook the clutch ring on top.
 
Who is selling decent pedal return springs? I'm in the market for brake and clutch for a '32. I think that Roy Nacewicz had them but I don't see them on his current website. Mac (the good one) doesn't have them. MAC's (the other one) catalogs them but I'd be surprised if they're in stock and worthwhile.
 
The Early V8 Shop has the larger spring for a '33 -'34 Comm. I do see that they sell the smaller clutch spring for the '48 F1 that might work. I ordered from MAC's and got the larger one which is to strong for a passenger car.
 
Michael,

Part of the mystery may be that you have some RHD springs as well as LHD springs. The orientation of how the hook end is positioned relative to the coil body of the spring is the primary difference, at least for the '32 through '34 springs as the hooks are intended to be installed with the open part of the hook facing downward, never upward (as a safety precaution). Your two 'E' springs appear to be different in their orientation of their hooks to their coil bodies.

The change in the diameter of the coils is well documented for '32 springs, but my experience with both in NOS form is that they have equal tension when stretched over their normal travel.

And of course there is the old problem of labeled parts not necessarily being labeled correctly.
 
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