Brake spring tool for truck brakes

2mJps · Dec 1, 2015

I have replaced alot of Hydraulic and Air brake shoes in the past and made do with vicegrips and prybars. What is a good tool for this big springs. I have a truck to do before long with air brakes and am thinking about buying something.

KSB · Dec 1, 2015

Easiest way I find is the way you are doing it.

I have an old flat screwdriver that I notched for grabbing the spring and it works but lately I find myself hooking the big spring in first. Then I clamp needle nose vice grips on the little springs and use a long prybar to hook them. Sometimes you have to give them a tap to ensure they seat in the hole. Then I place the rollers.

I am interested to see what the rest of the community says..

NFH2740 · Dec 1, 2015

http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-...scplp6824289&gclid=CKP-pY6HvMkCFYcBaQodNj4MTQ

DieselJH · Dec 1, 2015

KSB said:
Easiest way I find is the way you are doing it.

I have an old flat screwdriver that I notched for grabbing the spring and it works but lately I find myself hooking the big spring in first. Then I clamp needle nose vice grips on the little springs and use a long prybar to hook them. Sometimes you have to give them a tap to ensure they seat in the hole. Then I place the rollers.

I am interested to see what the rest of the community says..

I do it this way as well. Only I put the rollers in first before I hook the springs. I actually put the rollers in on the ground then hang the shoes and put the little springs on.

Ruger_556 · Dec 1, 2015

To remove take a tapered punch or screwdriver and set it against the hook end on the smaller springs, 1 or 2 good swats with a hammer takes them off. Hang the new shoes with the rollers and return spring in place. Then install the smaller springs on the new shoes with these http://shop.braketechtools.com/Air-Brake-Anchor-Spring-Pliers-for-ArvinMeritor-BC-100-ABASP-2008.htm or these http://shop.braketechtools.com/Air-Brake-Anchor-Spring-Pliers-for-Eaton-BC-100-SSKP-2009.htm depending on the setup.

I don't like the other method using a prybar against the return spring...

caswell239 · Dec 2, 2015

I do it all the time. I out rollers in on ground then the return spring, throw the shoes on starting with the anchors then the rollers. And hook the smaller springs in with a proto cotter pin puller. Angled just right they slip right on everytime.

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MDK22 · Dec 2, 2015

I always try with a pocket screwdriver if i get it good if not then I get Snap-On BT518 Tool, Brake Shoe (for air brakes with "S" cam design) I also have used the Snap-On version of that OTC tool and have used a phillips screwdriver.

I believe that Snap-On BT518 to be the best bet, followed by the OTC tool listed above. The OTC tool does not work on certain hub styles or if you do not have the hub installed aka doing it with just the spindle there.

My Snap-On guy put a driving handle on my BT518 for an extra 15 bucks. It makes it so nice when popping the short springs off. For installing you install the anchor pins with small springs both shoes, then the blue spring and leverage the upper part of the blue spring using the fork under the bee hive and prying against the s-cam through the shoe channel to hook it onto the pin in the shoe. You then install your rollers. You may need to rotate the s-cam to make it easier to hook the spring but.....

shoggoth80 · Dec 2, 2015

The Snappy air brake spring tool. BT518.

gooseadrian · Dec 2, 2015

I start by hooking the return spring to both shoes on the ground. Holding the top shoe place it on its anchor the man handling the lower shoe over the s-cam. I then hold the lower shoe on the anchor side with my knee and install the the smaller springs using a small flat head screwdriver to pry them in place. I then use chanellocks to squeeze the small springs to make sure they seat all the way in the shoe. Then I'll get a pry bar and put the tip under the pin from the return spring "big spring" lift the shoe and install the roller. Same with the lower shoe. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE ROLLERS!!!! IF THAT PRY BAR SLIPS WITH YOUR FINGERS IN THE WAY ITS GOING TO ****! I watched a guy smash his finger pretty bad. I use pliers to hold the roller so I don't risk my fingers just set to roller in the grove of the shoe then set the shoe down on the s-cam.
Hope this helps.
-Adrian

gungatim · Dec 2, 2015

I have a jumbo pair of snap-on brake spring pliers for trucks. about 3x the size of normal ones...picked up at the fleamarket for $3. never used it as I don't work on trucks, but I'm sure they probably still make it...

gooseadrian · Dec 2, 2015

gungatim said:
I have a jumbo pair of snap-on brake spring pliers for trucks. about 3x the size of normal ones...picked up at the fleamarket for $3. never used it as I don't work on trucks, but I'm sure they probably still make it...

Let's say 10 plus shipping?
Deal.
I'll send you my address lol!

cjr · Dec 2, 2015

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/LT890/TRUCK-BRAKE-SPRING-TOOL/#to-details

The best tool for the job.

fordnut85 · Dec 2, 2015

I have tried a few different tools before and just prefer my way of doing it. Put the rollers in and install the big spring hooked to both shoes. Hang the shoes on the s-cam then hook up the 2 small springs then use a pry bar to lift the top shoe and insert the pin then do the same with the bottom shoe. Takes far less time to do it that way then mess with spring tools in my opinion.

stercorarius · Mar 14, 2017

Bumping to see if there are any new opinions on this. I just assemble it all, hook the big spring, hang em, and use vice grips for the two small springs.

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Brake spring tool for truck brakes

2mJps

Well-known member

KSB

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NFH2740

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DieselJH

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Ruger_556

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caswell239

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MDK22

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shoggoth80

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gooseadrian

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gungatim

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gooseadrian

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cjr

New member

fordnut85

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stercorarius

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