Whitey13

How did you remove the top spring holding the upper part of the shoe in place. 4x4wire say just to remove it, but there is a ton of tension on mine. Any tips?

File photo:

YodaPala

just use some heavy duty pliers hold your breath and use almighty force to get it off.

MUDN4R

Agreed

CyMoN

Vise grips

Whitey13

Got it, thanks. The guy in the pic must be a gorilla:p

BajaRunner

Its even more fun to put it back on!!

CJM

Ya know they make a special drum brake tool for those things

Whitey13

Do you have a link or a pic. I hope it isn't something I had and didn't realize.

I noticed! I think I tore a rotator cuff.

CyMoN

I have this set but I still use the vise grips to get the spring off
and for some reason this set is labeled wrong
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...pecialty+Tools

ToddRiz

Good luck bleeding brakes with that tool set.

frodin1

Sears had the brake tool on sale this past week for $9.99. Totally worth it if you ask me. Getting that spring off with plires or visegrips is one thing, but try putting it back on without drawing a little blood.

frodin1

I should mention it was just the wrench, not that whole set.

drew303

Disc brakes, ahh love em hehe

I did tear something in my shoulder blade, or rather underneath the very last time I put one of those springs on. I've tried the spring tools and havent found one that works worth a damn on our drum brakes. =(

But yes, just pure muscle gets those springs on and off.. and I highly reccomend wearing gloves =)

god drum brakes SUCK

GhostriderTx

I first read this as "use the force" from Star Wars. Which may be a better way to work on that spring

Crazychopstick

Use your menergy.

My father had a little hook tool that made it a bit easier in putting it back on, but taking it off is just brute force.

surf4runner

putting back on: use a philips head (preferably worn and then ground almost sharp) screwdriver and pry the spring into the hole. use the vise grips to push all the way in. BOING!