Emergency brake arm springs (again)

[Sparky]

I'm in the process of reassembling my rear brakes and am getting ready to install the emergency brake levers and torsion springs. My original springs were there but broken so I have no reference point. Am I correct that the springs need to be wound one turn before hooking onto the arm?

I did a search and found many posts (and debates) on how to install them, but did not find this specific answer.

[Afordman31]

Put them on and hook them, that worked for me. I didn't try to wind it one full turn.

[Mitch//pa]

agree

[Mitch//pa]

...

[QGolden]

Others (more talented than I) can do them on the car, I had to lay them on the bench, I put one end against the boss and wound the spring around with a screwdriver to hook on the arm. It does not go all the way around, but from something like 9 to 12 if memory serves me. Someone was threatening to make a video of the process? But I don't think it was posted.

[Mitch//pa]

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Originally Posted by QGolden

Others (more talented than I) can do them on the car, I had to lay them on the bench, I put one end against the boss and wound the spring around with a screwdriver to hook on the arm. It does not go all the way around, but from something like 9 to 12 if memory serves me. Someone was threatening to make a video of the process? But I don't think it was posted.

that would be jkeesey.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by QGolden

Others (more talented than I) can do them on the car, I had to lay them on the bench, I put one end against the boss and wound the spring around with a screwdriver to hook on the arm. It does not go all the way around, but from something like 9 to 12 if memory serves me. Someone was threatening to make a video of the process? But I don't think it was posted.

That's pretty much what I did. The spring is wound up about 90 degrees and does seem to return the arm like it should. It just looked like it was possible to go a complete turn but it would be very difficult.

[Richard Redmond]

I've done this this job twice in the past couple of years - second time was to convert back to mechanical original.

As everyone else has observed - these springs are difficult and IMO - best done on a bench. Please remember that both the emergency brake levers AND the service brake levers are 'handed' Left and Right. The service brake lever is not obvious and looks OK on the bench. It is only when you try to fit brake rod, lever and clevis pin together that you realise something is wrong!

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Richard Redmond

I've done this this job twice in the past couple of years - second time was to convert back to mechanical original.

As everyone else has observed - these springs are difficult and IMO - best done on a bench. Please remember that both the emergency brake levers AND the service brake levers are 'handed' Left and Right. The service brake lever is not obvious and looks OK on the bench. It is only when you try to fit brake rod, lever and clevis pin together that you realise something is wrong!

Since you brought it up, both my lever clevises "tilt" in the same direction, so all is OK, right?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Since you brought it up, both my lever clevises "tilt" in the same direction, so all is OK, right?

No, when you look through the slot you should be looking parallel to the slant of the frame. In other words, as mounted the brake levers should slant toward the engine.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

No, when you look through the slot you should be looking parallel to the slant of the frame. In other words, as mounted the brake levers should slant toward the engine.

That's the way they are

[Sparky]

I just took another look and found out that although I had the correct arms, I had the wrong spring installed! Sure is easy to get confused. It's all good now.

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

No, when you look through the slot you should be looking parallel to the slant of the frame. In other words, as mounted the brake levers should slant toward the engine.

Toward the engine?......now I need to go look....