Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

My Springs are gold and silver in color and installed randomly.
Which color goes on the front (primary) shoe and which goes on the rear shoe?


Thanks,
Lowell

Can't comment on specific spring colors, but with Bendix self-energizing brakes the spring with the lesser tension goes on the primary (forward) shoe.

Thanks for the reply but how do I tell which one has the lesser tension? They are both very stiff.
These ARE the S.E. Bendix found on most of the 36 to 56 Packards.

Silver (lesser tension) to primary, Yellow to secondary. If you look closely you can see that the yellow spring is heftier.

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Thanks for the photo, I can see it now.
Will get them squared away Friday as my car is 20 miles away now.

Lowell

When in doubt, you can measure the wire diameter and the outside diameter of the coil, and count the number of turns. If there are no clues there to which is the heavier spring, put one end in a vise and use a fish scale (for big fish!) to measure the force required to extend each to it's operating length. But more often than not the difference becomes obvious when you closely compare the two springs.