How to install cross brake mechansim return spring

Kube

Kube

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Staff member
'36 Ford. Want to install a NOS return spring to the brake mechanism at the X member.
Yes, I have the correct spring, yes, I know where it attaches.

How do I stretch it to get it over the pin?
Yikes...
 
Got it! Made a small and crude puller of sorts. The NOS spring makes a huge difference.
 
Don't make any marks on the spring with plyers or eventually the spring will break in that spot, that goes for any spring, especially brake springs.
 
Back in the day, there had to be a 'guy' that could use a hook tool to pull on it and get it in place.
I ended up using a come-along and a strong piece of wire to 'convince' the spring into place. Then cut the strong piece of wire.

Kube is right -- makes a difference in the brakes.
 
I just use a bit of 1/16" welding wire, bend it into a U, feed it through the hole at back of Xmember, put hook of the spring into the U shape, use a pair of vice grips on the two ends of the wire as a decent handhold, and pull the spring back and into place.
 
Where can I find one of these, nothing shows up on the interweb? Failing that, does anyone know what the spring rate (i.e. pounds/inch) is for improvising something? My current spring is only 80% complete.
 
azlkk said:
Where can I find one of these, nothing shows up on the interweb? Failing that, does anyone know what the spring rate (i.e. pounds/inch) is for improvising something? My current spring is only 80% complete.
Click to expand...

I had searched and searched and finally found two NOS in CA. Paid big for them but was happy to get the one I needed. Probably never need the second one.
I don't know the rate but it requires a LOT of pull.
 
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