Fellas, what is the secret to getting the new pads back in? I am NO GOOD with drum brakes. Can you tell me the procedure? Got everything out. Am trying to seat the steel wedge (the one with a spring on it) in between the 2 pads, but can’t pull the spring far enough. Do I seat everything first and THEN somehow muscle that spring back in? Although I don’t have drum brake spring pliers, I’m not sure they would work due to the angle that I have to insert the new spring hooks. Do I put the 5-inch spring in BEFORE or AFTER putting the new clips on? Thanks for any help.
-Jim

 

i ususally put the shoes on first with the spreader then use needle nose locking pliers to stretch and insert the spring.

 

This is a great video to online the procedure. Skip ahead a bit though....

 

Had a buddy help out. The key was seating both shoes with the big spring attached already and levering the top around till the spreader piece got into place, then attach the smaller spring, pretty much like you guys were suggesting. Wasn’t easy. Thanks for your help.

 

The video at Atlantic British is good too. Following these steps, it simplifies things.