1941 Ford Brake spring tool ????

[Veeder]

Was there a special tool made to stretch the spring between the two shoes I'm installing new springs and I'm finding it very difficult to attach the spring with the shoes in place. I have tried to mount the shoes to the bottom after attaching the spring but just can't believe it was done that way in the early 40's. I also do have the conventional brake tools but they don't handle the job. My gut is to fabricate something and be done with it but thought I would ask the experts first.

[Charlie Stephens]

Can't help on the tool but is there any chance the springs are made wrong (too short).

Charlie Stephens

[19Fordy]

Assemble the shoes in place on the backing plate and use a pair of needle nose vise grips to grip and pull the spring into position. Wrap electrical tape around the vise grip jaws so as not to mar or create a weak spot on the spring. Also make sure all your brake eccentric adjusters on the bottom are all the way "in" and the adjusting cam nuts are all the way in. You don't want to have your brake shoes in the "expanded outward" position when you install the brakes or the brake drum. The following info. will help. Ignore the writing that says "anchor-longer shoe to rear" as that does not pertain to 1940-41 Ford Lockheed brakes. It pertains to Bendix style brakes. Click on photo to enlarge.

[Veeder]

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THis is helpful thank you - hope to be getting this stuff back together in a few weeks