63 Drum Brake Springs

[Carl S.]

Need help on putting the springs on my front Drums. Tried for over an hour then gave up. Has aneyone done this? I know it will Keep me up tonight. My 63 had no springs on the rear Drums. I hope this is true for all 63 corvettes.
Thank You All
Carl

[`Michael Southard]

Re: 63 Drum Brake Springs

HMmm, Confused...You said "brake Springs" in your title then proceeded to describe the "drum springs".

If you are talking about the actual brake springs, i.e. return, hold down etc. It's kinda tough to get them on with screwdrivers and pliers. They make inexpensive tools for these things that make the job a snap!

If you are talking about the dampener spring that goes around circumference of the front drum, then it is ONLY on the front, the rear doesn't have one.
I have used carpenters clamps to hold the bottom of the spring in place at 120 degree points the use a pair pinchbars to work the remainder on.
R/ Mike S.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 Drum Brake Springs

It's DAMPER, not "dampner" otherwise known as anti-squeak springs.

I recall installing them by clipping them together and "rolling" them over the drum to the groove, which both front and rear drums have.

I'm not aware if it's been proven one way or the other whether both front and rear drums have them or just front. The application on both OE and replacement drums appears to be hit and miss.

Duke

[`Michael Southard]

Re: 63 Drum Brake Springs

Yeah, I may be guilty of an assumption regarding the "front only sring". Every time I try to order drums and replacement sring assys. no one sells them. Vendors always tell me that they are available for front only.
R/Mike

[Mike E.]

Re: 63 Drum Brake Springs

One year earlier, in 62, the AIM changed the callout on those dampers. They were no longer installed by St. Louis, but by the suplier. Noland immediately made the assumption that they were no longer installed--incorrect!
We've found them through the end of the model year on fronts and rears.

[Chris H.]

brake drum springs

Which brings up a question I have had for a while. I have 3 springs that use a flat wire and 1 with a round wire. Which is correct?

chris

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Re: 63 Drum Brake Springs

Hi Carl -

I did the same thing Michael did with success. I hooked the ends of the loose spring together. Then using large C-clamps (and obviously don't clamp against the braking surface!), I clamped one and then another portion of the spring securely to the groove. These clamped areas were as far apart as I could get them! Then I worked the rest on with two pry bars. The first took me a bit and was fairly exciting when the clamps would slip. But by the fourth spring (yes, all four have springs), I was popping 'em on.

This is a three beer job. Good Luck!

Pete

[Mike E.]

Re: brake drum springs

Chris--
The correct answer is "yes". The great majority of 62 drums had flat wire rather than round--but not all did. You're safest with flat in 62.

[Carl S.]

Re: 63 Drum Brake Springs

I am talking about the anti-squeak springs. I have original drums front and rear on my Feb 63 SWC. 0nly the front had anti-squeak springs when I got the car with 53k on it. The springs are made with flat wire. The rear drums have the grove for the springs, however there is no evidence that any were in place. The grove is very smooth not like the front that had the outline of the spring imbeded in the rust.It can still be seen even after media cleaning and several light coats of paint. I am glad it was not just me that had problems with these springs, I will try it tomarrow 9/13. Thanks to all who responded.