Brake job! Help

[mexicanjoe]

Is there a trickto secure the hold down springs on a 89 F-250 rear axle brake shoe? I’ve been 3 hours trying to get it to secure. It appears it needs a specific tool or the parts are 3 millimeters too short... I would to state for the record that I’ve never had this problem with a GM product.... if any one has an idea: HELP!

 

[79jasper]

There is "a tool" but not required. Looks like a small nail puller. Just a little split in the end to hold the spring.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Kizer]

Google search "brake spring tool". Choose your poison.
There are UTube videos of people using various types.

 

[chillman88]

If I remember correctly, I just used vise grips on mine. Takes some muscle to stretch the spring though.

 

[Cubey]

This.

Vim Tools B10 Truck Brake Spring Tool
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YKI95C/

Dodge used the same Bendix spring setup on Dana 60s and I'm sure others, so it's not just a Ford vs Chevy thing thing. In fact, Chevy probably did on any Dana 60s they may have used.

 

[mexicanjoe]

Got it! A pair of needle nose vise grips and a homemade tool. I want to take this time to say thank you your help and I wish to state the engineer who designed the brake system probably had parents who were closely related . Never again , I’ll take it to the dealer... my arthritic hands are no match for this vehicle...

 

[Cubey]

Got it! A pair of needle nose vise grips and a homemade tool. I want to take this time to say thank you your help and I wish to state the engineer who designed the brake system probably had parents who were closely related . Never again , I’ll take it to the dealer... my arthritic hands are no match for this vehicle...

Or get the tool I linked. Years ago, Snap-on sold a better one with a longer handle for $30 under the Blue Point (Chinese made) brand. It's in storage, so I can't say what the part number is, but I couldn't find it on their site anymore when looking in categories a couple years ago. It worked great on a Dodge mounted Dana 60's brake shoe springs. It made it super easy, no muss, no fuss. I bought the Vim B10 a couple years ago for my F250 since the Blue Point one was far across the country in storage, but I never bothered changing the brake shoes so it's still in the package.

Here is a Snap-on version, $37. Personally I like the Blue Point one much better, It has a longer handle for better leverage. But they don't seem to sell it anymore.
https://store.snapon.com/Truck-Brak...Dodge-reg-and-International-reg--P642962.aspx

But then they also have this one for $28 that looks almost identical.
https://store.snapon.com/Truck-Brak...n-trucks-with-Bendix-reg-brakes--P636135.aspx

Both even say they fit Ford 3/4 ton.

 

[Selahdoor]

Got it! A pair of needle nose vise grips and a homemade tool. I want to take this time to say thank you your help and I wish to state the engineer who designed the brake system probably had parents who were closely related . Never again , I’ll take it to the dealer... my arthritic hands are no match for this vehicle...

That was going to be my suggestion. It's what I use. Needle nose vise grips, and a rather large screwdriver.

 

[gandalf]

I did the rear brakes on my '92 dually a couple years ago, and I don't recall having any problem. Of course, I borrowed a tool from Calvin which made the job a lot easier. I may have a picture at home, on the other computer. I'll be there Monday to look.

 

[79jasper]

I have always used a good ole pair of brake spring pliers.
I could see the tool being useful, just not something I would buy.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I just use a couple of screwdrivers myself. I haven't broke down and bought a tool yet. That's mostly because I never remember it until I'm in the middle of a brake job.

 

[Cubey]

I just use a couple of screwdrivers myself. I haven't broke down and bought a tool yet. That's mostly because I never remember it until I'm in the middle of a brake job.

After I paid a two shops to do drum brakes (long story), the second shop still fouled it up by either leaving off one of the springs or they did a crap job connecting it and the "nail" fell off instantly, I had to buy the tool. I couldn't get the spring on for anything in the world without it after I got new springs and "nails", so I had to order the Blue Point one. I couldn't find (maybe it wasn't being made at the time) the $10, B10 one. It beats knuckle busting and frustration, or paying a shop who will probably foul up something.

The shop I paid $1200 to do emergency major brake work on the motorhome because I had no tools with me, the rear brake hose, they cut off the old hose, didn't disconnect the axle vent hose from the retaining bolt/vent and remove the bolt for mounting the new hose's metal block to the axle. They just zip tied the new hose to the old one's metal base, still bolted to the axle. Really??? They didn't now how to do that right?

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Man! I remember that you paid them a lot of money and then still had to redo some of it yourself after you got it home. THAT SUCKS!

 

[Cubey]

Man! I remember that you paid them a lot of money and then still had to redo some of it yourself after you got it home. THAT SUCKS!

I only noticed that within the last couple weeks. I crawled under to have a look at the differential cover tag (couldn't read it, it's filthy) and was like "what the heck?" when I saw it. I haven't fixed it yet, since I'm on dirt/grass and it's not very flat so it's not very enjoyable to be under there. I'll fix it in a a couple months whenever I go to change the differential fluid, since I'll be under there with tools anyway. I can do that while it's draining.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I can do that while it's draining.

I can't think of a better time than that.