Thread: Brake Spring - chopped ?

I think both springs are fine. I don't think the longer spring will make any difference to the brake operation, but if concerned just shorten the new spring or use the old spring.

Ian
Bittern

Just about every aftermarket brake spring I've fitted I've had to chop the end down.
You may find they are difficult to fit, and almost impossible if you try and stretch the spring and then fit the end into the brake shoe.

Here's 4 originals
DSCN4773 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

These springs have the same problem, originals shown, the aftermarket ones are too long at the end.
DSCN4775 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Whether it's to do with the production process that it has to be a bit longer at the end or the 'she'll be right' factor of pattern parts I'm not sure. Cutting the end shorter makes it possible to actually fit them.

Colin

Thanks Guys, I could get the top one without chopping, but had to chop the bottom one so it would sit flat.

Speaking of the bottom spring, I am confused about which holes to use. On both shoes there's a choice of two holes, an upper and a lower hole. I have see pictures where the bottom spring uses both upper holes, both lower holes, and one pic where lower hole on the leading shoe and upper hole on the trailing shoe are used.

When I took my rear brakes apart, they were actually different, with the right side using lower hole on leading shoe and upper hole on the trailing shoe, but on the left side, both lower holes were used. On the expedition land rover site, the pic there clearly shows both upper holes being used.

The workshop manual and various other books I have (green bible etc) don't give clear pics / directions.

Does anyone know how they are supposed to installed ? And does it actually matter that much if the wrong hole is used ?

Thanks
John

Originally Posted by JohnboyLandy

Does anyone know how they are supposed to installed ? And does it actually matter that much if the wrong hole is used ?

Not sure which holes to use, as long as the spring is in tension either of the holes should be OK. The upper holes should put more tension in the springs.

Looked back at a couple of mine.

DSCN2130 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Brakes 5 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Looking at the top picture using the lower holes the spring would be close to rubbing on the backplate.



Colin