Technical Brake shoe springs

[JonPiz]

I’ve read a few posts about this issue where the springs are too strong for the self adjusters on the shoes. I don’t have the original springs but can anyone recommend a supplier they could recommend like Mintex etc where they have been suitable

 

[the hobbler]

I’ve read a few posts about this issue where the springs are too strong for the self adjusters on the shoes. I don’t have the original springs but can anyone recommend a supplier they could recommend like Mintex etc where they have been suitable

To the best of my knowledge, the only 'shoe-return' springs now available are from 500/126 parts suppliers. The new 'pattern'springs CAN stillbe used, but they have to be (very carefully!) stretched. The simple way to do this is to hold one end in a vice and then put a screw-driver (or similar) shank through the other end and gently pull. Unfortunately, the only 'original' springs that I have are in the rear brakes on my 500---maybe there is a 'Forum' member who HAS got some original spring and could measure them for you.

 

[JonPiz]

To the best of my knowledge, the only 'shoe-return' springs now available are from 500/126 parts suppliers. The new 'pattern'springs CAN stillbe used, but they have to be (very carefully!) stretched. The simple way to do this is to hold one end in a vice and then put a screw-driver (or similar) shank through the other end and gently pull. Unfortunately, the only 'original' springs that I have are in the rear brakes on my 500---maybe there is a 'Forum' member who HAS got some original spring and could measure them for you.

Thank you, I’ll have a go at stretching them

 

[bugsymike]

To the best of my knowledge, the only 'shoe-return' springs now available are from 500/126 parts suppliers. The new 'pattern'springs CAN stillbe used, but they have to be (very carefully!) stretched. The simple way to do this is to hold one end in a vice and then put a screw-driver (or similar) shank through the other end and gently pull. Unfortunately, the only 'original' springs that I have are in the rear brakes on my 500---maybe there is a 'Forum' member who HAS got some original spring and could measure them for you.

I was going to suggest the stretching bit, as it has been common practice in the trade for some years, to carefully do this a little to overcome the spring tension issue re the self adjusters, probably from my days at a Lada Dealership in the 1970s (Fiat 124 under licence) but I am aware it can be seen as a "bodge" Strangely this would have been with brand new genuine Lada shoes and adjusters, but these days more necessary with non OEM products.
It usually involved a screwdriver inserted in the coils and given a light twist to stretch spring a little, followed by pressing the brake pedal gently and watching with drum off to see if successful, then easing the shoes back to refit drum, it also had the benefit of reducing the amount of pedal travel. Of course always careful to ensure shoes returned correctly and no brake drag.
Our workshop actually got an award of a selection of Sun Tuning equipment for customer satisfaction whilst I was foreman there.
Also we had customers who would buy their new Ladas from another Dealer to get a better deal from the sales/showroom side , but bring the vehicles to our workshop for their first and subsequent services.

 

[JonPiz]

I was going to suggest the stretching bit, as it has been common practice in the trade for some years, to carefully do this a little to overcome the spring tension issue re the self adjusters, probably from my days at a Lada Dealership in the 1970s (Fiat 124 under licence) but I am aware it can be seen as a "bodge" Strangely this would have been with brand new genuine Lada shoes and adjusters, but these days more necessary with non OEM products.
It usually involved a screwdriver inserted in the coils and given a light twist to stretch spring a little, followed by pressing the brake pedal gently and watching with drum off to see if successful, then easing the shoes back to refit drum, it also had the benefit of reducing the amount of pedal travel. Of course always careful to ensure shoes returned correctly and no brake drag.
Our workshop actually got an award of a selection of Sun Tuning equipment for customer satisfaction whilst I was foreman there.
Also we had customers who would buy their new Ladas from another Dealer to get a better deal from the sales/showroom side , but bring the vehicles to our workshop for their first and subsequent services.

Thanks! By the way, I had a Lada Niva in a moment of madness. Loved that car although quite agricultural

 

[Toshi 975]

I got all my old brake bits out last week and found a set of four new old stock springs. I should have some good used ones as well in my spare parts.

 

[bugsymike]

Thanks! By the way, I had a Lada Niva in a moment of madness. Loved that car although quite agricultural

The Niva came out whilst I was working there, I quite liked the rugged look of it, but found the vibration on road not good, partly due to Russian eccentric tyres (we had them on brand new Moskvich's also) but also we found the separately mounted centre diff/low range unit was out of align with the propshafts on many of them.

 

[Goldnrust]

I would just like to add that you won't be guaranteed an issue with new shoes/springs.

I had new shoes and springs all round in my car last year, from Ricambio, and have had no issues.