Brake pedal return spring left off

Henry's Lady's Man

Henry's Lady's Man

Senior Member
I got the engine back in the car. Runs great and breaking her in.
The friend that helped me blew my question off when I asked him to put the brake pedal return spring in. He asked me if I had a problem why it was needed and that it wasn't a stock feature. I had no experience, so we put the engine back in without the return spring. My brake pedal now sits an inch down at the top of the brakes making it hard to adjust the brakes. My brake light is constantly on unless I pull up the pedal with my foot.
So how can I get this spring and hook in AFTER the fact?
 
If it's the return spring that wraps around the pedal and hooks to the motor mount, it's actually pretty easy to hook it back up. It can still be installed while everything is connected. You just need to pull hard to get the spring to hook onto the motor mount.
 
Barber31 said:
If it's the return spring that wraps around the pedal and hooks to the motor mount, it's actually pretty easy to hook it back up. It can still be installed while everything is connected. You just need to pull hard to get the spring to hook onto the motor mount.
Click to expand...

20160706_224631.jpg Thanx for the info. Does this look like the right stuff?
 
If you need that aftermarket spring to get your brake pedal back up you have other issues other than that spring . The actual springs At each wheel, brake rod anti rattle springs, and other brake issues I'm sure are suspect. If all is restored properly and set and adjusted you will never need helper springs like that auxiliary return spring.

Brakes are one if my specialties, once restored properly you can stop on a dime .
Larry Shepard
 
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I like the spring. It is insurance that your brake lights won't stay on ... when "other issues" come into play. "Other issues" often come into play.
 
I agree with Larrys40, if your brake system is restored properly there is no need for the helper brake spring. You are just masking an underlying problem and not fixing the cause. When you let off the brakes on a well restored brake system, the brake pedal will pop right back to the proper position and the brake light will be off.
 
Change from the flat brake return springs to the later wire "coil" springs. These are the one's that install onto the brake rods. 2 front; two back. Shown well in the Service Bulletins book.

No need for your extra stuff that Henry did not install.

Larry
 
Wow... lots of good responses. Thanx to all. I DID put in Flathead Ted's wedges and shoe centering equipment. THEY DID RECOMMEND TO NOT INSTALL THE LONG SPRING THAT PULLS THE SHOES BACK TOGETHER. So when I put in Flathead Ted's, I left out the return spring, but never had an issue till I removed the pedal return spring when pulling the engine. NOW, the problem is evident, along with it's cause.
So if Flathead Ted recommended to leave the springs off at the top of the shoes, I figure I should try it with the springs installed. Comments welcome.
 
Put the spring on. If the car stops to your satisfaction and the brake light goes off you can spend time fixin' something else.:D

Sewall
 
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