Installing new brakes shoes. Those frickin retainer springs.

[mutt and jeff]

There has got to be a method that is beyond me to install those small retaining springs that are on a bushing through the shoes and clip onto small T haped clips on the back of the backing plate. I have tried needle nose pliers with no luck and run a coat hanger with a small loop on the end through the backing plate and hooked onto the spring, but can not pull hard enough to yank the spring end through the backing plate to reach the clip. What the heck am I doing wrong...or at least not doing correct?

[Lou]

Use a #2 Philips screwdriver from the axle side of the brake backing plate. Push the screwdriver into the spring and it will extend it enough to allow you to hook the retainer.

[Mark]

Lou gave a better answer, but I will see if I can find the special brake tool for it for a picture

[Mark]

Screen Shot 2022-01-05 at 2.30.09 PM.png

Here's the brake tool for compressing the brake hold-on springs. I may have the wrong spring in mind, the pin goes thru the backing plate, thru the hold down spring with a cap/washerslot
which compresses spring while holding the shoe to the backing plate.If my info don't apply, then delete my post.

[mutt and jeff]

Well, I stretched one out so bad it isn't holding the clip in place, let alone the shoe. So I've got to locate one spring. I see DL Benzinger sells a brake retaining set for $200 Ouch! I only paid $50 for all the shoes, adjusters and lower return spring. Any leads?
In the meantime, off to eBay!
Thanks for that tip, I wasn't seeing pushing instead of pulling

[Lou]

Thanks for that tip, I wasn't seeing pushing instead of pulling

Your welcome! I destroyed several springs just like you did, don't feel bad. Next time around (last year) used the screwdriver trick and it worked great, no cursing and no stretched out springs!

Any vehicle I owned had the brake shoes retained by the discs that you push and turn. Even have the tools for that, but they were worthless for the mutt.

Brake shoe anchor springs here....https://tnjmurray.com/7025883brake-shoe ... a1-a2.html

[Hambone]

Napa has the hardware.
http://g838.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=114 ... ing#p97026

[m3a1]

Simple.

If memory serves, you'll get almost everything you're asking about in a brake kit (springs & spring anchors) at most major auto parts stores

Application is 1970 Ford Galaxy.

Yup! No surprise there, since Ford is famous for designing things that use the same parts as other things they've designed.

(After all, Henry Ford wasn't an idiot.)

AND

Just use a punch of the appropriate diameter to extend the spring. This is better than using a Phillips because there is more surface area pushing on the spring. Just put a little wad of cloth over the punch so it doesn't hurt the palm of your hand.

Cheers,
TJ

[Mark]

M151A2 Brakes.png

I was thinking of the wrong springs.The strong hold-together springs I used a needle-nose vice-grips to put on the nipple.

[svramselaar]

hi mark

i wonder the picture has self adjusting brakes this is not a mutt plate
the picture from the tool is also useble at a mutt


george

[svramselaar]

hi

correction it must be NOT useble for a mutt

george

[1SGCAV77]

Hambone is correct on the retainer and spring obtained from NAPA. Local pickup at a store near me today for $1.09 plus tax.
TJ is correct on using a snug fit punch protecting your palm. Keep in mind…when FORD was building these vehicles, many parts that were currently in production were used on various FORD vehicles. Check out how the 1964 Mustang was built with existing FORD inventory. One more comment…
the M151 series vehicle used the tried and true method of keep it simple. Troop level maintenance was performed with a general mechanic’s tool box.
Was carried with one hand. Oh….the good old days. Pre-electronics.

CB565847-34E9-4C05-BE56-70F612E2468A.png

EF818BE6-0B2D-4CB5-B1AB-16C7379CF071.png

A8F59929-ADCF-4D87-BC7D-8BDEE1F88E40.png

[Mark]

Yes the tool is too big I think, but I am showing what the tool looked like, that this was not meant for a mutt

[mutt and jeff]

Thans to the MUTT community. I also ordered the three they have in Atlanta to be delivered to my local NAPA store tomorrow by noon and, hopefully, I'll have these front brakes done by dinner. Then onto the rears. I've only got two jack stands left after putting my DJ5 postal jeep and my M37 up on the other 8. Gotta get me a lift.

Looking forward to the punch tool technique. One minor little thing on the front brakes and then we can wrap this up. After reading some forum posts on the front brakes, I was expecting two screws holding the front drums in place and this 66 A1 did not have them, nor any holes in the drums, nor any tapped place on the backing plate to hold them. I have these on all my Dodge trucks, so I knew what to look for. Did I mispread something?

[csmith]

Buy one of these, cheap and they work....

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/W175/10 ... Categories

I did mine last spring, first time, no problems.