Drum brake springs - orientation and location?

[bgaidan]

I'm working on putting my brakes back together. I took everything apart about 2.5 years ago, had the shoes relined and bought new cylinders...then I had to move before I could put it all back together....and then I moved a couple more times. 2.5 years later, I have a place to work on it and all new parts....but I can't remember how the springs go back on!

Working on the fronts now. I have 4 springs - two are heavier, two are a little lighter. My theory is that the heavier ones go on the side that is closest to the cylinder on each pad so they are pulling back against the cylinder....just looking for someone to verify this.

I haven't looked at the rears yet, but I'm sure I'll have questions there too.


I know when I was tearing it down 2+ years ago, I took pictures of everything before I removed the springs and cylinders, but I can't seem to find the memory card from my camera that has them!

[moore_rb]

Your suspicion is correct- the heaviest springs work against the hydraulic cylinders...

[Esteban]

Found this photo of the front brakes. It matches your description bgaidan.

Front Brakes.jpg

Pictures of the rear brakes are here, with details on the spring lengths:

Rear Brake Shoes Position and Return Springs

[bgaidan]

^^

Good stuff. That actually exactly opposite of how I thought they were supposed to go. The "heavier" spring is actually smaller, but takes more force to pull. There was no way I was going to stretch that thing to fit on the cylinder side of the pad.