Springs for E-brake hub?

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Guys'

I am working on getting my emergency brake to operate. Does anyone know what size the springs that expand the hub are or should be ? I believe there are 3 springs associated with this. I don't think they are all the same size.

I would try to match up the existing ones.......but they all crumbled into pieces long ago.

Thanks, Jeff

[ggdad1951]

on mine there was never the LARGE/THICK spring when I tore it down as shown in the parts book...so you might only be looking at the two smaller ones that help push the band off the drum. This is assuming you have the same e-brake/tranny set up as I have. Mine is the on the floor 4 speed.

[Jeff Balazs]

Mark;

That is possible.....mine is a 4 speed fluid drive. I did not see any evidence of the 3rd spring either...... just lot's of crud.

The manual I have does not appear to show the exact set up that is on my truck. It's a reprint and a lot of the photos did not come out too well either.

On a side note I was talking with my son-in -laws father Dave this weekend and it turns out he had an uncle who was a Dodge truck mechanic for over 40 years. I've asked him to inquire through relatives if his uncle had any literature, special tools or whatever that might be off interest. It's a long shot as his uncle passed several years ago.....but you never know.

Jeff

[Merle Coggins]

I don't know if these will help you or not, but maybe you can get an idea of what you need based on these pics. I never measured them up when I had it apart many years ago.

Maybe they made a change in '51 because my '50 Fluid Drive 4 speed does have the BA spring. (turn your monitor 90 degrees to view. )

[Jeff Balazs]

Merle;

Thank you....yes that helps. That BA spring looks pretty stout! They may well have made a slight change....or on mine it could have been deleted by a previous owner.

I notice you have an additional spring going to the linkage. I was thinking of adding something like that too. I couldn't find any evidence of my truck ever having one.....but it seemed logical to do this type of arrangement.

Thanks, Jeff

[Merle Coggins]

I notice you have an additional spring going to the linkage. I was thinking of adding something like that too. I couldn't find any evidence of my truck ever having one.....but it seemed logical to do this type of arrangement.

Thanks, Jeff

Well, there was an extended leg on one side of the clevis with a hole for a spring, and the hole was also already there in the cross member. It only seemed logical that there should be a spring there. I don't recall if there was one there when I disassembled it, but it seems that there was. So I found a new spring that would work and installed it. It helps to return the arm and cable when the brake is released.

As you may know, with Fluid Drive you can't just park in gear and expect your truck to still be there when you return. With no mechanical link to the engine it can still roll on a grade, so you WANT a functioning park brake.

Merle

[Jeff Balazs]

Merle;

Amen! But then I would want it to work regardless.....It is not exactly flat here.

I will have to look at it again and see if there are any signs of this....but either way it just makes sense to do this.

Jeff

[Jeff Balazs]

Thanks again Merle;

I made a few mods to what I had based on your photos at lunch. Now it works!

It needs a new lining..... but it works which is more than I could say before.

Thanks again.

Jeff

[homer2105]

Iam in the process of rebuilding and re installing park brake on 48 Deluxe. I ended up with a little cone shaped spiral spring that I don't know where it goes. Manual is pretty much useless as far as any kind of an exploded view. It tells you to tighten down anchor bolt but that just seems to lock up the shoe against that drum. Does anyone have an exploded diagram of the paek brake and a procedure on how to adjust it correctly? Also replaced pinion seal on rear end. is there torque specs to re tighten the nut on the yoke? Feel free to email me as I'd like to get the old turd out this weekend if possible. Thanks a bunch.. homer2105@aol.com

[homer2105]

I am in the process of rebuilding and re installing park brake on 48 Deluxe. I ended up with a little cone shaped spiral spring that I don't know where it goes. Manual is pretty much useless as far as any kind of an exploded view. It tells you to tighten down anchor bolt but that just seems to lock up the shoe against that drum. Does anyone have an exploded diagram of the park brake and a procedure on how to adjust it correctly? Also replaced pinion seal on rear end. Is there torque specs to re tighten the nut on the yoke? Feel free to email me as I'd like to get the old turd out this weekend if possible. Thanks a bunch.. homer2105@aol.com I tried to sign up for a month of Chilton manual on line............useless. I asked about park brake repair on 48 Dodge, they show a drwaing of a car on a 30% grade!! Real nice, will cancel monday.

[Dodgebawl]

VPW has the correct emergency brake springs. I bought the two smaller ones for my 49 4-speed a couple of weeks ago.  I did not need the third BA spring so I did not ask if they had that one.