Tips on getting springs of brake drums?

[tdskip]

Never done this before, and pretty sure I'm going to shoot the spring through my forehead at this point...

 

[Steve_S]

Pull harder.

Sorry, had to say it. I use a really strong set of pliers. If you have a high-torque set, all the better. There are tools made for hooking springs but the eye is pretty small on your brake springs so I don't thin they would work.

 

[blueA]

Gday,If you are talking about the longer pull-off springs I grab them with pliers then use a long screwdriver to get leverage on them,rather than pulling pliers sideways.Bob

 

[tdskip]

Thanks guys.

I actually just found an easy way to get them off (and I'm talking MGA drums here). Take a screwdriver, line it up with the hook that holds the spring on the drum, and then give the screwdriver a firm tap with a hammer. Presto - spring is off.

 

[David_DuBois]

Easiest way I have found is to remove the anti rattle springs, the just lever the shoes out of the the slots they rest in at the top with a large screwdriver. Once the shoes ore out of the slots, the springs come right out by hand. I do the same thing in reverse when reassembling the shoes.
Cheers,

 

[rick_ingram]

Easiest way I have found is to remove the anti rattle springs, the just lever the shoes out of the the slots they rest in at the top with a large screwdriver. Once the shoes ore out of the slots, the springs come right out by hand. I do the same thing in reverse when reassembling the shoes.
Cheers,

That's exactly what I did with the 1968 MGC last month!

 

[Steve_S]

I've done that but it always feels wrong, like I'm cheating or something.

 

[PAUL161]

Easiest way I have found is to remove the anti rattle springs, the just lever the shoes out of the the slots they rest in at the top with a large screwdriver. Once the shoes ore out of the slots, the springs come right out by hand. I do the same thing in reverse when reassembling the shoes.
Cheers,

That's exactly what I did with the 1968 MGC last month!

<span style="font-size: 8pt">Same method works on just about any drum brake setup. And works well. So why did I pay $25.00 for that spring stretching tool? </span>

 

[rick_ingram]

Easiest way I have found is to remove the anti rattle springs, the just lever the shoes out of the the slots they rest in at the top with a large screwdriver. Once the shoes ore out of the slots, the springs come right out by hand. I do the same thing in reverse when reassembling the shoes.
Cheers,

That's exactly what I did with the 1968 MGC last month!

<span style="font-size: 8pt">Same method works on just about any drum brake setup. And works well. So why did I pay $25.00 for that spring stretching tool? </span>

Because....it is your duty to have as many "cool tools" as possible.

 

[Kensai]

Easiest way I have found is to remove the anti rattle springs, the just lever the shoes out of the the slots they rest in at the top with a large screwdriver. Once the shoes ore out of the slots, the springs come right out by hand. I do the same thing in reverse when reassembling the shoes.
Cheers,

It took me a few times to realize you could do it this way. Makes brake shoe replacement practically frustration free!

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I've done that but it always feels wrong, like I'm cheating or something.

It's not cheating, it's working smart. My dad always used to say (cleaned up for here) "son use your head, not your tail end".