halftrackinfo
brakes => all brake related topics => Topic started by: Cleprechaun on July 23, 2020, 03:29:04 PM
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NAPA number 80337 was as close as I could get for a rear brake retainer spring. The overall length was right, but one “goose neck” is a little short and the hook is backwards, also, both hook mouthes are a little smaller than originals. The coils are a smaller diameter as well. It was simple enough to turn the short hook around by placing the coils in a vise and twisting the hook counter clockwise to tighten up the spring and get the hook pointed in the right direction. Widening the hooks was a simple matter of using the vise to press in the diameter of a ratchet extension. The spring then fit well as shown, but still Slightly rubs on the brake adjusters as did the originals, so I guess that’s ok. This was a last resort, try at your own risk. If this fails, I may try making springs from scratch. I fully expect someone to tell me they have crates of these things the moment I finish putting the tracks back on.
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JR parts has newly made springs in stock. I purchased 4 a few weeks ago. They fit perfectly.
Paul
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the m35 trucks use the same wheel cylinders and I believe the springs are also the same.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MILITARY-M35-M35A2-BRAKE-SHOE-RETURN-SPRING-NEW/114189718212
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I think the m35 type spring is what was on it and I think it was about 1/2 “ shorter