'59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

[Robert C.]

Does anyone know if the springs that hold the shoes to the anchor bolt are the same length ?

Front spring went on fine, the spring from the rear shoe seems to be extremely difficult to stretch
to reach the anchor bolt (these are generic springs)

They match what was removed, but I had one spring that was slightly longer on one brake - hence the question.

Thanks for any insight !

[Mike T.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

Robert - My 61 has discs up front and I eventually added self-adjusters to the rear brakes but I do have a couple old pics of the rear brakes with the original style springs and from the looks of it, I'd say the two springs are identical.

[Robert C.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

Mike,

Front brakes went together ok, back is really putting up a fight to get rear spring in.

I appreciate the pictures too.

I took pictures of the brakes before i pulled this apart, and I guess finding one longer spring got me wondering.

Well, I guess I'll give this another try.

Bob

[Jim L.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

Mike, those look like Velvetouch shoes. How do you like them?

Jim

[Mike T.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

Hi Jim - Those 'segment-style' shoes were on my 61 when I picked it up along with some SSBC Force 10 front discs but the braking was never very good. The family that owned my 61 before me (from '74-2008) used it mostly for drag racing and autocrossing and probably liked the metallic shoes. I suspected those rear shoes (figured they were Velvetouch but never did find any identifying marks or stamps on them) were a bit too hard for regular street use so sold them to a guy back East. When I replaced them with NAPA shoes, I discovered the drums were in need of either turning or replacement so ordered a pair of replacements from RockAuto. Braking is better now, not great but better.

[Jim L.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

Hi Mike,

I'd bet money those were Velvetouch shoes..... the segments look just like those on every Velvetouch shoe I've ever seen.

If you have the option of replacing the front calipers with some with larger pistons, you ought to notice a significant improvement in braking. If that isn't an option, you might contact either Porterfield or Carbotech about pads with a high coefficient of friction. I took that approach with the car in my avatar after I figured out the master cylinder bore and the caliper bores were mis-matched and it made all the difference in the world.

To the OP, my apologies for the thread hi-jack. I'm done.

Jim

[Mike T.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

Robert - Any pics of the springs you're dealing with?
Jim - Email sent re: front disc brakes.

[Richard M.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

I've done several brake rebuilds lately using the AC Delco latest issue springs. They are Purple in color. They are EXTREMELY difficult to get attached. I believe they are slightly shorter or slightly stronger than what was available in the past.

Rich
p.s. they are the same length for either side

Ref pic from a supplier. Not purple but shows equal lengths.

eb-105_71.jpg

[Frank D.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

I assume you have a spring installation tool and aren't trying the 'ole long screwdriver thing at the anchor pin.
That helps a lot but still isn't much fun....

[Richard M.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

Frank, Agreed, but even with the special tool, it's a PITA with these strong springs. I think I ended up using Vise-Grips the last time.

[Steve G.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

If your brake tool does not look like this one,
SAM_1443.jpg

You've got the wrong tool. The ones that are like pliers never work well. This one you will hardly feel the pull of the spring. Hook the tool under the end of the spring and the end of the tool on thepin. Lift the tool and the spring slides off the tool and onto the spring. Other end removes it.

There are places that you can't use a tool like this. In those cases use a pair of side cutters. You will not cut through the spring and the side cutters will not slide on the spring.

Steve

[Richard M.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

If your brake tool does not look like this one,
[ATTACH=CONFIG]58941[/ATTACH]

You've got the wrong tool. The ones that are like pliers never work well. This one you will hardly feel the pull of the spring. Hook the tool under the end of the spring and the end of the tool on thepin. Lift the tool and the spring slides off the tool and onto the spring. Other end removes it.

There are places that you can't use a tool like this. In those cases use a pair of side cutters. You will not cut through the spring and the side cutters will not slide on the spring.

Steve

Steve, Nope, won't work.

I have that one, and even gorund the sides flat for the hook flat profile.......no good.

Vice-Grips are the only tool that worked. And even that's a battle with the newer springs.

Rich

[Frank D.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

That's the tool I used and it does work...you have to put a little fanny behind it to get the spring on but its better than most other methods.
Nearly any auto parts store will have it.

WEAR EYE PROTECTION AND GLOVES !!!

[Steve G.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

Steve, Nope, won't work.

I have that one, and even gorund the sides flat for the hook flat profile.......no good.

Vice-Grips are the only tool that worked. And even that's a battle with the newer springs.

Rich

Then you're using the tool wrong. He's not talking about the bottom spring across the adjuster, it's the top diagonals to the anchor pin. I've been using that tool on those springs for 35 years. I can take a pic of them in use if that helps. Hook it under the spring and the small end of the tool over the anchor. Lift it up and it slides off the tool onto the anchor.

The tool doesn't work for the bottom spring across the adjuster. I still would never use vice grips. You've got to get vice grips pretty hard on there to stop them from slipping. Side cutters, or diagonal cutting pliers as the catalogue calls them, work much better. But an even easier way is to put that spring on before attaching the shoes to the backing plate. Put the spring on, tip the top of the shoes in and install the adjuster. Spread them at the top and fit against the backing plate and attach your hold downs.

I've done thousands of those, or slight variations, over the years. I could probably put those together with my eyes closed.
Steve

[Robert C.]

Re: '59 Drum Brakes - prim/secondary springs

yes, I have the proper tool. Let me put it this way, the rear spring was so strong I needed a guy to hold onto the frame. Body is
off, only the read axle and front suspension are installed.

The springs are grey in color.

The thing that threw me was the one longer spring someone installed in the past.

I will post pictures tomorrow night. It's a good 1/4 inch longer, maybe more.