Topic: 10" Drum Brake Hold-down Spring Lengths

[Angela]

Based on a collection of old used hardware, I believe Ford used two different length hold-down springs on the rear axle. While I am not sure it matters, it would be neat to understand which shoe (primary or secondary) was supposed to use the longer spring.
When I say "hold down spring", I'm referring to the ~1" long springs which use the cupped washers and retaining pins.

I haven't run across a set of repro hardware with different length springs, hence I doubt it matters much. Regardless, if anyone knows which shoe used the longer spring, I would appreciate knowing this detail. Thank you.

[rockhouse66]

Different width rear shoes used different length pins and springs.  There is a wide and narrow choice.  Maybe not your question, but it could be 

[Bossbill]

I checked into this as well and there are different heights, different colors and some application used a different spring for each of the primary and secondary shoes.
Note that the data I found was in the 60-68 MPC and not field study.

[kitdoctor]

I did some research into this to identify part numbers and typical spring colours/colors.  The primary shoe spring is dual diameter and can be a light or very dark green.  The secondary spring is typically yellow. The drum brake adjusting screw is typically a medium blue.  The parking brake spring is typically maroon.  The shoe retaining springs are a very light blue.  These are the only ones I could not find a photo of showing and NOS part.

This is an unrestored Boss 351.
 

[kitdoctor]

Primary spring.

[kitdoctor]

Secondary spring found in a latter service part kit.

[kitdoctor]

Adjusting screw.

[kitdoctor]

Parking brake spring.