brake shoe steadying springs

[longbridgehealey]

How important are the little shoe centering springs? I recently replaced the brakes on my Bugeye, and all four of the rear retaining springs were stretched to the point where they just lay in place, no pressure on brake shoe at all. I put them back in, but I can't see where they are doing any good. Do I need them to be snug?

Thanks

 

[spritenut]

It will work fine without those spring clips.

 

[jlaird]

Agree.

 

[ralph_s]

Found this tool at our local farmers market. No package, just a note "for assembling springs on british cars". It works like a charm as you can get leverage to depress & twist the springs.

 

[longbridgehealey]

Thanks, Frank and Jack - it had me worried.
Ralph, that's some tool!

 

[DrEntropy]

I've always either used my fingers or a pair of channel locks for those pesky things.
I have the tool but never seem to be able to FIND it when I need it. :wink: