How to connect Emergency Brake return Spring ???

[Jim Clement]

well..
I have gotten most of the car back together.. but cannot figure out how to get this spring into the sheet metal piece that covers the transition block between the single e brake pull wire and the two e brake cables that go to the back of the car..
problem one is that the sheet piece is a bit out of shape from the disassembly process.. then the spring - new one or the old one.. does not have ends that are 90 degrees to each other..
any ideas on how I get these two parts back together again ??

[cory cotherman]

cheap at harbor freight

brake spring hook.jpg (4.39 KiB) Viewed 2635 times

[Ron LaDow]

Ive only assembled one and can't really claim I knew what I was doing, but the tin 'wrapper' has to be closed up at the rear (did I get a small C-clamp in there?). Regarding the spring, the same is true of about half the Zenith throttle return springs and you just twist it in the easiest direction and hook it up.

[Jim Clement]

you are correct.. it is the Tin Wrapper.. that i am having trouble closing..
i will try the C clamp method tomorrow.. the problem is .. not much room.. for anything..

[Ron LaDow]

Jim, mine was a mod'd version to get the lever-action (PreA?) brake mechanism to deal with the small drums in the disc brake system; I expected to have troubles.
From memory, the rear cables were loose which allowed the 'block and wrapper' to lift enough to accept a C-clamp. And it helps that I subscribe to the notion that you can't have too many C-clamps from that itty-bitty one to the 12-incher that isn't easy to lift.
What 'handle' does you car have? If it's the 'pull-out', it attaches to a pretty long lever. You might disconnect that to allow the package to move aft and engage the spring, and then use the long lever to reconnect the handle.

[Jim Clement]

well
Ron.
Some very excellent advice..
and after a few try's .. and how can a spring get caught on so many things..
finally after about 10 attempts...success !! it worked. Even got the heating cables installed after that.

Many thanks

[Ron LaDow]

Great. Happy to help.
That's one task done just once, and I was a much younger guy then. And it's a pleasure not doing it on a regular schedule.

[Norm Miller]

FWIW, I threw in the towel and disconnected the single cable at the front which allowed me to attach the spring.
Then reconnect and adjust.
You can also put a cotter pin in the forward hole of the block which will make it easier to thread the spring into both tabs.
I know you got it finally so just info for the next guy attempting this job.

Norm

[Eric McKinley]

Exactly Norm,

Much easier to disconnect the front cable, connect the large Spring and then reconnect the front cable.