Rear brakes - return spring. How?!

[dollywobbler]

I tried replacing a leaky wheel cylinder today but it's not gone well. Milners have sent me the wrong wheel cylinder for a start, which I only realised when I went to fit it. Quite tempted to take a file to the hole as it'll fit then...

However, I unhooked the return spring when trying to get the shoes out of the way. This appears to have been a mistake as I can't get the sodding thing anywhere near its little hole again!

Any tips before I reach for the matches? Fire will cure it... :sly

 

[R1cho]

needle nose pliers and a lot of hummmmpffff lol i made that mistake once, never again, they do pop out and back in with out removing the spring, just use a screwdriver to pry one of the shoes to one side

 

[dollywobbler]

Thanks. I found an adjustable spanner which I used to stretch the spring, levering against the wheel studs. Needed a serious amount of pressure! Used needle nose pliers to guide the end back in. Phew!

Thanks for the note about not removing the spring next time. Lesson learnt! Just need the correct parts now.

 

[solarman216]

I did the rears on the off road motor a few weeks ago, and no, very little force is required, memory is gone but will recount as best I can, assemble the top spring and HB bar, and fit the cable nipple to the HB lever, place this lot over the cylinder pistons, with the bottom of the shoes towards you as far as poss fit the bottom spring, place one shoe in retainer and pull second shoe over and into its retainer, fit shoe to back plate springs, job done, next time I do one, I will take pics, as I have several attempts until I work it out again each time, Rick

 

[glen]

mole grips

Watched my Mechanic he used mole grips on the spring Not easy in the past i have only done one side then if i went wrong could have a look at other side, My Mechanic said the springs were in wrong place before he did them ? might have been like that for several year.

Glen

 

[rustic]

In the past with other cars I have assembled the spings onto the shoes, just in front of the cylinder then stretched them out over the cylinders.
:thumb2

A bit more difficult on the Mav/Terrano, due to the hand brake cable connection, but principle is the same.

 

[glanrichbex]

needle nose pliers and a lot of hummmmpffff lol i made that mistake once, never again, they do pop out and back in with out removing the spring, just use a screwdriver to pry one of the shoes to one side

How many times I have heard the sound of hummmmpffff ---- slip ----- Arrghhh!!!!! oh the sound of knuckles against cold steel :surrender

 

[dollywobbler]

Hmmm. Despite being in the correct section for the year of my Mav, I managed to order the wrong wheel cylinders. New ones ordered. Will try and make fitting them less of an ordeal this time. At least I know the bolts that hold the wheel cylinder in place will come undone easily...