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Mr. T. Minnesota 09-05-2012 19:01:05 68.170.114.158 Report to Moderator	Forum Members, In the process of replacing the seals and brake shoes on the 8N today. Thought the seals would be tough but replacing the long main spring is a "BEAR". Worked on it for a hour and a half. Finally had to cheat, added a link to make it attach to proper spot. What is the trick? Followed the FO4 as closely as possible. Any help is appreciated!! Mr. T. Minnesota [Reply]   [No Email]
Lumpy 09-08-2012 05:11:13 208.126.151.224 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Mr. T. Minnesota, 09-05-2012 19:01:05   Bought a pair of brake spring pliers at Autozone for like $6.00. Did both sides on my 8n in like 30 minutes. I had issues with that dumb little, "L" shaped hook thingy, the spring attaches to. Grrr... [Reply]  [No Email]
Defndr 09-06-2012 07:35:58 71.252.205.231 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Mr. T. Minnesota, 09-05-2012 19:01:05   I just did a set and those long springs are a bear. I fought it for awhile then got my brake pliers out. I put the end of the spring on the squiggly end and used it as a pry bar to pull it up and on. [Reply]  [No Email]
Mr. T. Minnesota 09-06-2012 09:49:05 68.170.114.158 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring and shims? in reply to Defndr, 09-06-2012 07:35:58   Forum members, Well, I can not blame it on left handed agility/non agility. I will glean from all methods recommended by the forum. Kind of do not feel as alone in thoughts about the brake springs. Next question, wonder if the shims could allow fluid to get to the brakes? On the right side some shims are metal and some are a gasket like material.I feel I should replace some of these thin gaskets to prevent fluid flow to brake shoe area. All thoughts are welcome! Mr. T. Minnesota [Reply]  [No Email]
Bruce (VA) 09-06-2012 11:20:01 24.125.80.178 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring and shims? in reply to Mr. T. Minnesota, 09-06-2012 09:49:05   They are not gaskets. They are shims for setting the axle preload. Check out John Smith's site for info on doing that correctly. Or you next repair will be a differential replacement. 50 Tips [Reply]  [No Email]
Dean 09-06-2012 09:05:59 67.172.15.77 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Defndr, 09-06-2012 07:35:58   Agreed. A brake spring pliers is not designed to install springs like the long spring on Ford tractor brakes. A looped piece of heavy wire with a makeshift handle, e.g., socket extension is helpful. Dean [Reply]  [No Email]
old 09-06-2012 09:47:18 209.86.226.40 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Dean, 09-06-2012 09:05:59   I use a piece of small diameter air craft cable and a piece of a hammer handle and that works slicker then snot [Reply]  [No Email]
NOXJohn 09-06-2012 04:23:28 184.5.164.213 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Mr. T. Minnesota, 09-05-2012 19:01:05   Regardless of what tool you use to put on brake springs you should wear safety goggles or a good face shield. I have two friends that have damaged their eyes when doing a brake job. The first had a pair of needle nose pliers slip of the spring and go into his eye. He is now blind in that eye. The second friend had the spring fly off and hit him in the eye. He now has distorted vision in that eye. I have done many brake jobs without protecting my eyes but not any more. This can happen under a lot of circumstances but pulling on brake springs appears to be the most dangerous. [Reply]  [No Email]
Bruce (VA) 09-06-2012 05:50:05 24.125.80.178 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to NOXJohn, 09-06-2012 04:23:28   "...should wear safety goggles or a good face shield. " Amen. And in case you did not hear me: AMEN I still have the scar across the bridge of my nose from a brake spring on a 40 Chevy coming off the brake pliers 30+ years ago. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dean 09-05-2012 20:21:31 152.216.7.5 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Mr. T. Minnesota, 09-05-2012 19:01:05   I use a large pair of channel locks to pull the spring upward. It gets tougher each year. Dean [Reply]  [No Email]
ASEguy 09-05-2012 19:18:04 68.186.162.134 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Mr. T. Minnesota, 09-05-2012 19:01:05   Bruce is right, buy a pair of brake spring pliers and practice using them with one hand to work them. The longer leverage will make it pretty easy. Try to "snap" them in place. They work much better that way. Brake pliers are inexpensive. Proper brake spring tension is critical to brake performance. Hope this helps. Gerard [Reply]  [No Email]
Bruce (VA) 09-05-2012 19:10:29 24.125.80.178 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Mr. T. Minnesota, 09-05-2012 19:01:05   " Finally had to cheat, added a link to make it attach to proper spot. " You didn't put it back together like that did you? If you did, the brakes will not work because the spring will have insufficient tension. If you are trying to put the spring on w/o brake pliers, you have to be incredibly good or lucky. 50 Tips [Reply]  [No Email]
36 coupe 09-07-2012 04:01:28 66.186.169.176 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Bruce (VA), 09-05-2012 19:10:29   Cant imagine anyone not having brake spring pliers.Bought mine in the early 50s, still using them.Alway get a laugh when cheapskates brag on not needing certain tools. [Reply]  [No Email]
Mr. T. Minnesota 09-05-2012 19:26:06 68.170.114.158 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Bruce (VA), 09-05-2012 19:10:29   Bruce, Guilty as charged!! I had better do it according to Hoyle! I have the tool you mentioned but it still is a bear. Maybe it is because I am left handed:)I will practice a little harder. On most days I am luckier that good! Will follow your advice. Mr. T. Minnesota [Reply]  [No Email]
old 09-05-2012 19:48:53 209.86.226.32 Report to Moderator	Re: Help reattaching long spring on 8N brakes in reply to Mr. T. Minnesota, 09-05-2012 19:26:06   Left handed what does that have to do with any thing?????????????????? Yep I am left handed also so that is no reason for it. LOL By the way I do not own brake spring pliers but do brake jobs a lot. A simple small diameter piece of steel cable and the right hook up and it is easy to pull on that spring then just pull the cable back out. By the way you do know only left handed people are in there right minds don't you. Every body else is way out in left field some place [Reply]  [No Email]