[Roadsters] Drum brake return springs

[MH]

Well here's the way I do it on my '67:

Before mounting the shoes on the backing plate, I fit the springs on the 
shoes first, then hold the shoes with the linings facing towards me, like 
holding a book half-open. Then, I engage the ends of the shoes onto the 
wheel cylinder and adjuster, and "unfold" the shoes open and flat against 
the backing plate. This gives more leverage than trying to manually stretch 
the springs.

There is a special little brake tool that's kind of like a small pry bar 
that's bent just right to work with brake springs. I have one, but I never 
use it, preferring to just fold them over like I described. Mine's a '67 so 
maybe this won't work on the 1500.

Mike Hudson  '67  -Stroker / 5-Speed

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob Dean" <rob.dean at eftel.net.au>
To: <datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 12:40 AM
Subject: [Roadsters] Drum brake return springs


> Hi All
>
> Is there an easy way to get drum brake return springs back on? (front
> drum brakes on a '65 1500) - Is there a reason there is so much tension
> on these springs? - I'm wondering if the return springs have been
> changed at some time, the ones in the manual are shown "hooked" at both
> ends, mine are hooked at one end only, the other end had a kind of
> dogleg that goes through the backing plate.
>
> Any advice appreciated
>
> Cheers
> Rob