s -cam brake spring tool?

[kiall1987]

Hey their , What are you guys using to remove the return spring on s cam brake ? I see matco has a tool but its not very clear image

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I always hook up the big spring first and remove it last its a piece of cake this way with out having the other two springs on, I use vicegrips to install and remove the smaller 2 springs.

 

[kiall1987]

I was always taught sit the top shoe on on the attach the two smaller spring the hook the lower shoe on and swing it around then attah the larger spring but Ive never tryed that technique

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

I use vice grips and a pry bar against the axle housing. I have seen someone curl the end of a screwdriver, grind a notch in the thin part of the tip, and use it as a hook to put the smaller springs on.

 

[kiall1987]

I think this might be the answer

 

[Jared]

I have always used a large slotted screwdriver with a nothc ground in the side.

 

[caper]

I'm with Diesel Mech.Install the rollers and pins in the shoe.Lay the top shoe in place with the large spring hanging down.Hook the lower shoe to the spring and twist the shoe in to sit on the anchor pins.Put the small springs on last with vise grips.No need for special tools.I've seen people use them but it's harder to do it that way.This is the one case I'll recommend NOT buying a special tool.It's a waste of money and most of all it makes the job more difficult.Takes about 30 sec per side.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I used to use vice grips, too many times that ******* things didn't hold the spring. Bought myself a VW factory tool for brake springs. There's no substitute.

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

It never takes me more than 30 seconds to do it like this

1 place top shoe in place and hang big spring and the 2 little ones

2. hang bottom shoe off of 2 little springs and fold bottom shoe and USUALLY the big spring will slide into place however we have a special prybar with a notch cut in the middle from snap on that will budge it the extra mm to hang it


then install your rollers etc

Matt

 

[LGMechanical]

I hook the shoes together with the big spring first then mount the brakes with the rollers already on. I then turn the cam so the rollers fall into place.Then I get out my long notched flat head screwdriver and hook the smaller springs. Very fast and easy.