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:

 

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

 

Agreed

 

Vise grips

 

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

 

Its even more fun to put it back on!!

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

Good luck bleeding brakes with that tool set.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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!