e-brake retracting spring

[Ian in Mississauga]

I've installed these springs before but now I'm trying to do it with only vision in one eye and so far success eludes me. A friend who has done a lot of brake work on model As like swedging and arcing new shoes advises
doing it on the bench. My question is will the whole assembly with both actuating arms attached still fit through the gap in the radius rod? Any other advice?
TIA Ian

 

[Y-Blockhead]

I've installed these springs before but now I'm trying to do it with only vision in one eye and so far success eludes me. A friend who has done a lot of brake work on model As like swedging and arcing new shoes advises
doing it on the bench. My question is will the whole assembly with both actuating arms attached still fit through the gap in the radius rod? Any other advice?
TIA Ian

I drop the rear radius rods. It is too difficult for me to pull that spring around anymore. If you had the e-brake carrier out to work on the service brakes you only have one more bolt to remove to drop the rear radius rods. Good Luck

 

[Jacksonlll]

I use a small steel cable like picture hanging cable and pull the end of the spring into place. Works pretty good.

 

[kd4lok]

The spring remains uninstalled on one wheel of my car for some time now. I need to attack it again.

 

[JBill]

I've always found it easier to pull the spring around with a piece of wire rather than cord, which stretches too much.

 

[Chris H]

Out of desperation I fabricated a puller from a coat hanger and a piece of dowel rod acting as a tee handle. Pretty crude, but it worked well. Just enough flexibility, yet stiff enough to do the job. After all, it only had to work twice!