Tim, it's been about 2 years since I installed my brake spring, but here are
some of the things I remember........
1) Got my spring at the LAPD (local auto parts dealer) for about 2 bucks.
Just get a generic clutch/brake spring.
2) I left the old spring on rather than trying to take it off. I figured
with the new spring and the old spring, surely the brake pedal would come up
like it's supposed to. Sure 'nuff, it worked.
3) Hardest part for me was figuring out how to get the new spring on. I
pulled and pulled, but couldn't stretch the stiff spring enough to get it
anchored in the right place. A list member (I think Grant or Doug) finally
showed me the easy way. Just cut a piece of old, very stiff wire (about 5-6
inches long) and make a small hook on one end. Take the spring and put it
on at one end......the end closest to the base of the brake pedal. Then,
hook the other end of the spring with the hook on your stiff wire. Clamp
onto the other end (non-hook end) of the stiff wire with a pair of
vice-grips. The vice grips will give you something to pull with so you can
stretch the spring and hook it to the anchor point. Without the vice-grips
and the stiff wire with the hook in it, I would have never stretched the
darn spring enough to get it anchored. Believe me, I tried many times!
Very simple trick, and it makes installation easy.
4) This completely stopped my brake pedal return problems.
Good luck, Tim.....and let me know if any of this doesn't make sense.
Tom Caperton
47-2nd 3100....in Whiteville, NC
tcape@weblnk.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "tim" <lloydt@Colorado.EDU>
To: "Ole Truckers" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2001 7:05 PM
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] electrical question....tail lights
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>
> How about some more info on those simple tricks to installing a new brake
> spring?
>
> If I have to get a jump start one more time because of that brake
> spring...
>
> On Wed, 10 Jan 2001, tcape wrote:
>
> > Eric, before you start checking all the complicated wiring stuff, check
one
> > simple thing first.....the return spring for the brake pedal. About a
year
> > ago, I was having the same problem you describe....tail lights staying
on
> > and running the battery down. I started checking all the wiring, then
> > realized that if I lifted up on the brake pedal, the lights went out.
Turns
> > out the brake spring had just gotten weak over the years and wouldn't
return
> > the brake pedal to the top. Put on a new spring (generic clutch/brake
> > spring from my LAPD) and the problem was fixed. Simple solution....cost
$2.
> >
> > If this turns out to be your problem, there are some simple tricks to
> > putting on the new brake (or clutch) spring. Let me know if you need
more
> > info. Good luck!
> > Tom Caperton
>
> Tim Lloyd, omaha@tmbg.org
> "Power that comes from the barrel of a gun can only be effective for a
> short time." -The Dalai Lama
> "We choose to go to the moon...because that goal will serve to organize
> and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge
> is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone,
> and one which we intend to win." -John F. Kennedy
> "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it--even if I
> have said it--unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common
> sense." -Buddha
>
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