Brake Spring ID 1938 one ton p/u

[revenski]

I'm looking to replace all brake springs on my '38 one ton since some are not serviceable. There are 4 unique springs (originally color coded) both front and rear - no duplicates. I've found some springs but still need to identify the following two. I need the ID of the rear black spring - 5 1/8" total, coils 2 1/2" and diameter 5/8" and the ID of the front green spring - 4 1/2" total, coils 2 5/8" and diameter 1/2". I haven't yet found them in the Green Bible. Pictures of front and back wheels attached. If the pictures are too small here, I can send larger directly.
Thank you.

[Terry,OH]

Is this a 122" WB? Do you need the Ford part numbers? Such as rear 81T-2034 spring-shoe return-adjusting side 122"rear, need 4.
front 81T-2296 adjusting side, need 4

[revenski]

Terry,
This is a 122" WB. I'm looking for Ford part numbers such as the ones you indicate. The 81T-2034 are the front red return springs, and I do have 2 of those which is all. The 81T-2296 are the rear red return springs which I am still looking for 2. Between the front and rear there are 8 different springs. The front drums are 12" ID and the rears are 15 1/4" ID.

[Terry,OH]

According to the Service manual the 1 Ton front brakes use the passenger car housing plate assembly. The rears use the 1 1/2 ton front housing plate assembly.
The 78-2297-A black spring may be used on the fronts, as well as 78-2297-B , orange.
The parts books are very confusing as to what spring goes where.

[revenski]

Terry,
You can say that again about the parts manuals being confusing or inconsistent. I really appreciate the additional information. I have in hand 78-2296-A (black) and 78-2297-B (orange) for the front as well as 81T-2034 (red) and 81T-2035 (green) for the rear.

[expavr]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Interesting photos of the mechanical brakes on a large truck. Thanks for posting them. The brake replacement on my Tonner was a piece of cake compared to that system. Good luck with your hunt....

[expavr]

Have you tried JobLot? http://www.joblotauto.com/ They had all the brake components for my Tonner.

[revenski]

Thanks for the comments. I got everything that Job Lot had. James over there has been wonderful to work with on a number of items, and like all of the good guys I've worked with, he's suggested other sources when they didn't have something.

[Terry,OH]

Beside Job Lot look to Southside Obsolete for the springs. If you can take a photo of what you need with dimensions and email it to Fred.

[revenski]

I did check with Southside, but Fred didn't think he had them kicking around. Without numbers it was difficult to know for certain. I am posting photos here with measurements for both of the springs that I am trying to identify.

[Terry,OH]

78-2035-D is green and 4.87" OAL. It is not listed for a truck application.

[Terry,OH]

The green parts book only list two springs for the front of the 122"
78-2296-A & 78-2297-B are both listed for the 122" Front brake shoe retracting.
78-2297-B is orange 4.75" as shown below and 78-2296-A is black.

[Terry,OH]

The green parts book list four springs for the rear brake shoe return.
81T-2296 on the adjustment side, 81T-2297 on the operate side.
81T-2034 on the adj. side, 81T-2035 on the op. side.
For the shoe operating lever retracting it list 81T-2036-B shown below
Are all 5 of the rear springs different?

[barnfind08]

yes he tried me when he was first looking for springs and I told him what I had. his measurements did not match up with what I have which still have either ford tags or in ford bags. He did buy the collapsible springs terry pictured and two rear n.o.s. axle bumpers. since then I have sold other people springs for the 81T off his original want. I suggested to him that someone may have switched them in the 50's but he was sure that was not the case. If he wants to come back to me I am willing to work with him. I have the springs and only n.o.s. Fred

[revenski]

Terry and Fred,
Thanks for all of the information. Yes all 5 springs on the front are different and all 5 springs on the rear are different, and the front and rear are different from each other. Terry, it appears that you have identified the rear spring that I am still looking for a pair of as 81T-2296. I also appreciate the number on the rear operating lever retracting spring. I'm still looking for the identity of that same spring on the front. I also only found 2 springs listed for the front: 78-2297-B and 78-2296. I still need one of the 78-2297-B. The spring that you picture as 78-2035-D certainly looks like one of the front springs that I'm trying to ID although it could be very slightly longer. Fred, we'll be talking.