Brake springs

[TomC750]

As part of a complete brake job on my '41 Merc, I thought it would be a good idea to replace the springs. Although the same in appearance to my old ones, they are much stiffer. I do have good brake spring pliers, but they just will not get the job done. I can come closer to getting them hooked up by using vise grips on the straight part of the spring. Any words of advice?

Tom

 

[paul2748]

spring replacement is not usually done unless there is something wrong with them I would suggest going back to the old springs.

 

[1942deluxe]

Tom, I might get flamed for my opinion. If you are taking an A.S.E. test the answer is always no as the vice grips could damage or weaken the spring. If you've had the spring fly off three times now and you are disturbing your wife's enjoyment of her Hallmark movie with your potty mouth, then yes, a pair of vice grips and something to leverage them with might be in order. The original spring may be 80 plus years old and had several hundred thousand cycles of being stretched so I would also replace it. Most of the techs I know would always use a new hardware kit if it was available when doing drum brakes on the newer vehicles.

 

[Kube]

I was ASE certified in brakes. We were taught to NEVER use "old" springs. 1942Deluxe has offered fine advice in this regard.

I would suggest placing the spring in place on both shoes prior to fastening the shoes at the bottom. Quite easy to then place the top of the shoes in place and stretch them out so you are able to install the lower hardware.

 

[Flathead Fever]

I was a telephone fleet mechanic for 30 years with every ASE license they made. I learned over the years to replace the springs when they got to be around seven to eight years old, otherwise the springs started breaking. On an old Ford I would definitely replace all of the springs and rebuild the wheel cylinders, at least hone them and replace the rubber cups. Whatever you do, do not grab the springs with a pair of pliers, any marks you leave on the springs will cause them to break. Only use brake spring plyers.

Here a video. it's not early Ford brakes but it makes the point of only grabbing the springs with brake pliers by their hooked ends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f7hpI5JvyE

 

[TomC750]

Tom, I might get flamed for my opinion. If you are taking an A.S.E. test the answer is always no as the vice grips could damage or weaken the spring. If you've had the spring fly off three times now and you are disturbing your wife's enjoyment of her Hallmark movie with your potty mouth, then yes, a pair of vice grips and something to leverage them with might be in order. The original spring may be 80 plus years old and had several hundred thousand cycles of being stretched so I would also replace it. Most of the techs I know would always use a new hardware kit if it was available when doing drum brakes on the newer vehicles.

My wife does not watch daytime TV any more than I do, and my shop is some distance from the house, so no problem there! Now, about a month ago I crushed the end of my index finger and did not say a word. Maybe because I am in pain from other causes 24/7. The finger is healing quite well on the outside, but the inside is a different matter, still quite tender, even up further than the injury.

Thanks for your response.

 

[TomC750]

I was ASE certified in brakes. We were taught to NEVER use "old" springs. 1942Deluxe has offered fine advice in this regard.

I would suggest placing the spring in place on both shoes prior to fastening the shoes at the bottom. Quite easy to then place the top of the shoes in place and stretch them out so you are able to install the lower hardware.

I have used the method you described previously on another vehicle, but did not work this time, too awkward and springs too strong.

I did use another method which worked however. I clamped a piece of tough plastic which I had formed a 90* angle on the end to the brake shoe. This avoided the sharp end of the brake spring pliers from digging into or slipping on the brake lining. Next I cut a couple of pieces of PVC pipe to use to extend the handles of the pliers. It was still tough, but it worked.

I did not find any marks on the springs, so I should be OK. I will attempt to post a pic or two, which I have not done before. The plastic I used is a bit hard to see in the pic as the wishbone is in the background.

Tom

 

[1942deluxe]

Tom, also a reminder that the long brake lining shoe goes to the front on Lockheed brakes.
I forgot one time and had to redo....

 

[leon bee]

I was a telephone fleet mechanic for 30 years with every ASE license they made. I learned over the years to replace the springs when they got to be around seven to eight years old, otherwise the springs started breaking. On an old Ford I would definitely replace all of the springs and rebuild the wheel cylinders, at least hone them and replace the rubber cups. Whatever you do, do not grab the springs with a pair of pliers, any marks you leave on the springs will cause them to break. Only use brake spring plyers.

Here a video. it's not early Ford brakes but it makes the point of only grabbing the springs with brake pliers by their hooked ends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f7hpI5JvyE

That is just about a perfect u tube video.

 

[TomC750]

Tom, also a reminder that the long brake lining shoe goes to the front on Lockheed brakes.
I forgot one time and had to redo....

1942 Deluxe, thanks for the reminder, I forgot to check, and also forgot what I once knew. It has been many years since I did a brake job on any Ford prior to 1949. Will check tomorrow!

Tom

 

[TomC750]

Tom, also a reminder that the long brake lining shoe goes to the front on Lockheed brakes.
I forgot one time and had to redo....

Well, sure enough, I had the long linings on the left side and the short ones on the right side. You saved my bacon. I reinstalled them correctly and all is good. I am usually quite sure of myself and admittedly stubborn, (just as my wife) but at 84 it is time to slow down, more readily ask for help and ask for advice. I appreciate all of it.

I would like to hear the story on your '42. The last one I saw was here in Greeneville, a coupe that had a 4X4 chassis under it. What a shame. The body looked good.

Tom

 

[1942deluxe]

Tom, go the search area at the top of the page, click on it and type in 1942 ford deluxe coupe project and you'll see my thread on it. I have been really surprised how many people showed interest in my old beater. I too don't want my cars street rodded after I'm gone. May happen anyway but if I have any say it won't... makes my day if I can help someone on their car so you are quite welcome!

 

[TomC750]

Tom, go the search area at the top of the page, click on it and type in 1942 ford deluxe coupe project and you'll see my thread on it. I have been really surprised how many people showed interest in my old beater. I too don't want my cars street rodded after I'm gone. May happen anyway but if I have any say it won't... makes my day if I can help someone on their car so you are quite welcome!

1942deluxe, will do, with pleasure.

Tom