I just got a new spring kit for my 67 Malibu (front drums), and the springs look a little different from what's in the car. The car has identical springs and retainers in both the primary and secondary shoes; the kit apparently uses different springs and retainers in the two. It seems to me that the stronger spring should go on the secondary, and the retainer with the "stem" on it (sort of like a T-nut) should also go there, so that the stem forms a pivot point for the actuating arm. Have I got that right? There were also two small bright steel washers that I couldn't find a use for - any ideas? They don't fit the screw adjusters.

Reid

the two bright washers may go under the holddown springs, can't really tell without a pic. I bet that you don't have the self adjusters on the brakes, do you.

Originally posted by chev64:
the two bright washers may go under the holddown springs, can't really tell without a pic. I bet that you don't have the self adjusters on the brakes, do you. I have the adjusters on. Why do you say that?

Reid

The original springs are different lengths and the secondary shoe( the rear shoe) spring hooks to the wire loop and the primary shoe spring hooks to the anchor pin in the top center of the backing plate.

I'm not talking about those. I'm talking about the smaller compression springs that hold the shoes to the backing plate.

Reid

Originally posted by Rabbit:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> I bet that you don't have the self adjusters on the brakes, do you. I have the adjusters on. Why do you say that?

Reid [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]I still don't think you have the self adjusters on the brakes. there will be a lever and wire rod attached to the secondary shoe that actuates the adjuster and the bottom of the brakes. It sounds like the kit you purchased is the correct one and someone had removed the self adjusters previous to your purchase of the car.

Originally posted by chev64:
I still don't think you have the self adjusters on the brakes. there will be a lever and wire rod attached to the secondary shoe that actuates the adjuster and the bottom of the brakes. It sounds like the kit you purchased is the correct one and someone had removed the self adjusters previous to your purchase of the car. You seem to have misunderstood something, because I definitely have both the actuating arm and the wire link (I think those are the official GM names) in place. The actuating arm engages the star wheel on the screw adjuster, which provides the automatic adjustment. Really, I know what you mean and it's all there! smile.gif

Thank you for trying to help, and let me try again. My question is about the compression springs (no hooks on the ends) that go over pins (which are inserted from behind the backing plate) and clamp the shoes to the backing plate. The one on the secondary indeed ALSO holds down the actuating arm, which is the thing you thought I was missing (I've been accused of worse...). I would very much like someone to confirm or deny that 1) the spring socket with the neck on it goes on the secondary so that the neck provides a pivot for the actuating arm, and 2) the stiffer spring also goes on the secondary. What was on the car had identical springs and cups on both shoes.

Reid

OK, I got ya. Since the secondary shoe has the self adjuster mechanism, the shorter spring goes there and the longer(stiffer) spring goes on the primary shoe. the kit we have in stock in our storeroom has a spiral wound in one of the springs and I would say that that spring is for the primary shoe. I hope I have helped some.