Does anyone know if there is a GOOD replacement available for the large pull back springs that were used on the 57-62 Heavy Duty Brakes? The only ones that I can locate at the parts stores such as NAPA, seem to be the variety that is for standard brakes.
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Re: Replacement springs for 57-62 HD Brakes
Maybe 1/2 or 3/4 truck springs from that era ?????? Or Buick/Olds ???? If I had dimentions I could source this area for you. There is some NOS stuff around here.
Bob -
Re: Replacement springs for 57-62 HD Brakes
Since I was just going through looking for brake hardware not too long ago, I can relate. There isn't much to find and they don't distinquish between the varieties anymore. Basically, one set fits all, and isn't even guaranteed to fit all anymore.
However, basically, brakes of a given size all have basically the same hardware as far as fit. Since the Corvette uses the 11 inch brakes, any Chevy with 11 inch brakes will fit. The heat and tension ratings won't necessarily be the same, but physically they fit.
You have to use your head some, too. The '63 uses 2-3/4 inch wide front shoes and 2 inch wide rear. So while most springs are the same, the holddown pins and springs are slightly different because the pins have to be longer to reach out further to the shoe. If you have 2 inch fronts, you may have to get two rear sets from newer models. Be sure to check the size of the model you are getting the parts from.
So if you go to the 3/4 ton truck with 11 inch brakes, you should be in the right heat and tension ratings to match the HD brakes. If not, see if you can find a 1 ton truck with 11 inch brakes. I found that for the '63 the normal spread of years is from about 1960 to 1970 and Corvette, full size Chevy, and 1/2 & 3/4 ton pick ups pretty much interchange.
You may literally have to sit with the counter computer guy and check each year and model to see if it is available as they often do not list a part across several models even though they fit. For example, some items on the front suspension of a '63 were not available but for a '68, they were. And they were the same parts.
On a practical side, the reason for the higher heat ratings was that the heavy duty brakes were for racing. Unless you are vintage racing the car today, I doubt you will ever generate the heat that will destroy the springs. Even though these are high performance vehicles, they are now treated like fragile antiques and almost no one races them, autocrosses them, and drives them at double the speed limit.Comment
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Re: Replacement springs for 57-62 HD Brakes
Tom--
The larger diameter pull-back springs were for the RPO 686 option (metallic linings) and not the HD brakes (684/687). the only difference between the standard return springs and the HD ones was the color, indicating different heat ranges.Comment
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Re: Replacement springs for 57-62 HD Brakes
I probably wasn't quite clear in my original question. What I'm looking for is a suitable AFTERMARKET replacement spring that will hold up better under severe braking conditions/heat. I'm after function and not so much originality.Comment
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Re: Replacement springs for 57-62 HD Brakes
Same advice. When I was hunting springs, I hit all the parts stores in the area - NAPA, Car Quest, Pep Boys, AutoZone, and Advanced Auto. I ended up getting springs at Advanced Auto for an Impala. I didn't attempt Chevy because I assumed they were long out of stock. I didn't do the Corvette places because they about double the prices and you can't see what is in the kit until it arrives. They need more accurate pictures.
I doubt they have the heat resistance you need for the HD brakes, so you probably need to reach for the 3/4 ton pickup springs. The higher brake rating of the truck probably has the heat resistance you are looking for.
You could also check for a 1 ton. However, I don't know if the 1 ton used a conventional pickup truck configuration or only the much larger dually configuration. The best bet would be to take your old springs and compare to the kit for the 1 ton and see if they will fit. If they fit, you can bet they have much higher heat resistance than a passenger car.
The difference in braking systems on vehicles is the ability to provide equal braking for much higher loads. The way that is done is to disippate much more heat, either through more friction area or higher heat resistance friction material. Either way requires the hardware (springs, clips, levers, etc.) to survive much higher heat. So hardware for a 3/4 ton will resist more heat than for a car and hardware for a 1 ton will resist more heat than for a 3/4 ton.
Of course in the scheme of finances, they could all be the same item, and simply be the highest available even in the lower rated vehicle.
Good luck.Comment
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