Re: '54 Convertible E-brake Spring Mystery

Posted by Don Shields On 2012/4/10 23:13:32

Thank you for your inputs, Big Kev and Howard. The cotter pin that is in the handle rod end is there in error. My theory is that the prior owner's painter (who did an otherwise beautiful job) broke, lost, or just forgot the handle to toggle spring when he took the handle/rod assembly off of the car to paint the handle; the cotter pin wrongly was put on in place of the spring. This pin is malleable as Big Kev mentions but the longer leg is kinked so it isn't going to be easy to remove, it'll probably have to be broken off.

Howard, the technical bulletin you attached gives me a perfect view; thanks for posting it. I have the 54th series bulletins that had nothing about this in them, but I didn't think of looking at earlier bulletins. As you mention, the toggle to relay lever (bellcrank) rod is correctly fastened with cotter pins at its' top and bottom. This rod appears to have been undisturbed since it was assembled at the East Grand Blvd. factory.

I will post an update when I finish attaching the spring.