'69 Parking Brake: "Fish" clamp

[Steven C.]

Redoing my parking brakes, and I have the stainless steel kit. The clip/clamp, looks sort of like a fish, that should be on the end of the top shoe anchor bolt is trashed.

I have a replacement, but it looks like I would need to pull the spindle to properly install it...doesn't seem worth the effort to me. The shoes will be held together by springs between the shoes top and bottom, and hold-down springs at the midpoint of each shoe (on the "nails").

Also the actuator (top), star wheel adjuster (bottom), and shoe surface/drum interface (middle) will all serve to prevent the shoes from rocking sideways.

I've become very curious as to the intended function of this piece...possibly just a dust/debris shield for the top shoe anchor bolt pivot location?

Can I skip the fish? Or, can I install it without pulling the spindle? Maybe through the inspection hole?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 Parking Brake: "Fish" clamp

Steve-----

The part of which you speak is called a "plate" by GM. This plate guides the shoes and keeps them properly located at the top. Can you get along without it? Possibly. However, keep in mind that GM very seldomly uses parts that aren't, at some level, necessary. So, what the results of lacking the piece are, we may find out from your "experiment" if you opt not to install them.

[Steven C.]

Thanks, Joe! Install w/o pulling spindle?

I'm obviously reluctant to pull the spindle to install this plate, especially when it appears mechanically redundant (my opinion).

I'm willing to conduct the experiment by going without it, but if there is an easy way to install it, I'm game.

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: Thanks, Joe! Install w/o pulling spindle?

Steve-----

I believe that the spindle has to be removed to install the plate. I don't think that there's any way to remove the anchor bolt, necessary to install the plate, without removing the spindle.

[Steven C.]

Thanks, Joe. *NM*