Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hi, Looking for information on the brakes for my 47 Packard. Most of the parts are pretty standard, but I can not find why one spring is yellow and the other is orange. I would guess it has something to due with the primary band and secondary band. Could someone point me in the right direction.
Thanks!
Wes

Attach file:

---

  (96.80 KB)

The weaker spring goes on the primary shoe so it will contact the drum first and provide the servo effect. They are color coded to indicate spring tension. Looks like you've got a secondary shoe lining (or at least the length of one) on the primary as well.

O_D, that's what JW also noted on my Project Blog. So I guess I need to find the correct shoe or is that correct the way it should be and are the correct springs on and in their correct positions? Meaning is the orange spring the weaker spring and for the correct Primary shoe.
Wes

I don't have a key to the spring colors but just give them a tug with a pair of pliers and you should be able to tell which is weaker and which is stronger. Also wire diameter and OD should be a clue. You also obviously want identical spring positioning on all wheels but especially on the fronts.

It was standard industry practice at the time, for decades prior, and for years later in the replacement parts sector to have a different frictional material for the primary and secondary shoes in addition to the different lining lengths. I think with today's replacement shoes the distinction of different primary and secondary lining materials is pretty gone the way of the DoDo bird so I wonder if the different lining length plays much of a role. Regardless of that you surely want the same conditions left to right, probably less significant front to rear as the rear brakes are the minority players.

Wes, good words from O_D, as usual. When I did the brake system on my 47 Custom I had the brake shoes relined. Shorter linings were attached to the front shoes, but I believe the fronts and backs were of the same material.

(o{}o)

According to later SMs, the orange spring is on the primary shoe and yellow is on the secondary so orange spring toward front. Smaller cars had the same color springs (V8 Clippers for one). Kanters brake kits for the 47 Customs come with the same color springs -- gray -- so as O_D says, maybe not that important the different tension on the modern shoes.

Here is an article I authored a couple of years ago. If you want new springs they are available at Napa, Autozone etc., but all the new return springs are the same tension.

Attach file:

---

  (164.67 KB)

"install the primary brake shoe spring first".
I can not find any distinction or spec in the 55-56 SM as to which spring to install first.

If you look at the photos in the Service Manual it shows spring placement. It is also in the Service manuals back to 1942 which is the earliest I have. I know I read it in a Packard document and confirmed with photos.

Inspect the bend in the springs. Not likely any difference tho. The 55-56 manual pictures is not real clear as to what is front or rear of cars pics.

The sequence installation of the springs mite depend on rear park brake bar and or SELF adusting brakes BUT ONLY for ease of assembly.

As a side note, the 55-56 maunal aas well as the pic in post #1 of this thread shows less than craftsmannship for spring installation. THAT IS that the the spring(s) at the top anchor should be bent so that the non-tension margin of the spring is parallel to the sping. NOT kind of "J" shaped as is shown in the manual.