1966 Parking Brake Hold Down Pins

[Bill S.]

My 1966 Vette would not pass safety inspection with the parking brake (only holds in a forward stressed position not in a rearward)
I pulled apart the assembly and tested components as I proceeded. Everything moves except both steel pins have been sheered off (with and the springs are gone. I cannot replace one of the pins without removing the backing plate. And as we all know in order to do this we have to pull the spindle. Is there a "work around" for this ?? How can I replace the pin that holds the spring on the backing plate without pulling the spindle?
Thanks In Advance

[Gary R.]

Re: 1966 Parking Brake Hold Down Pins

Bill.... You might be able to fish it in between the plate but you might have to distort it a bit to do so. If you need both pins, springs, and cups you're better off buying a new SS parking brake kit. One thing, every kit I get I have to address issues within. The hold down pins are stamped and done poorly in every kit I bought in the past 10 years. I dress them to an arrow head to get a nice firm seating in the cups. I also face the star wheels down. One thing, if your arms are untouched originals you are due for an overhaul anyway. I have had in 2 sets of virgin 66 arms over the past couple of years and they looked as good as the day they were installed 48 years ago but there was no grease left on the bearings.

[Larry M.]