OK, guys, here we go: my 3rd attempt at posting a thread, gadzooks! I'm working on a 1963 Fairlane. It's a beautiful, 2nd owner, car. It's still completely original. I trying to find a source for a "shoe retracting assist spring. "That's what the original manual calls it. I already have new "shoe-to-anchor springs." That's what the manual calls the typical shoe return springs. However, the retracting-assist spring stretches between the upper part of the primary and secondary shoes. The ends of this spring hook into the same hole in the shoe as the typical shoe return springs. I tried to attach a photo but guess I don't know how. Thanx for any thoughts or assistance. copco
Saltflats, I know, that's what makes it so maddening. It's shown and named in the original shop manual. I've been trying to find a TSB someplace saying it's ok to not use it, thinking maybe the newer springs have sufficient "pull" so that extra spring isn't needed. I have a picture of the brakes before I disassembled them and the spring is in the picture but I can't upload (or whatever it's called) the doggoned picture. Thanks, though, it's good to know motors manual doesn't show it. copco
I'm gonna try to attach this picture of the brakes showing that spring, again! Nope, can't figure it out. copco
I don't see where you'd need it. The two top springs from the anchor pin to the shoes and the bottom one between both shoes should be all you need. Have you tried to find a spring and hardware kit for it? I'd bet that spring wouldn't be in it.
copco, your pic may be too big. You may have to resize it smaller, or just do like I do, upload them to photobucket.com, and hot link them back to the board.
Bamamay, I'm just about to that point. I would have re-used the originals, but the right side one had been vibrating against the bottom of the wheel cylinder and was worn about 1/2 through. That's what started this entire searching project. I'm agreeing with you and think we'll just put 'er back together without it and hope the new return springs are stout enough that it doesn't need the other one. Thanks for your input. copco