Topic: Brake Drum Spring

[Building 3]

I have a question on 1966 Mustang Drum Brakes.  I have attached a photo.  I am interested in the red spring below the wheel cylinder.  I have reassembled the brakes using the Ford Shop Manual and with photos of the disassembly. I few people have told me that I should not re-install the red spring.  They said that Ford issued a Service Bulletin to the dealers back in the 1960's saying that the spring was not doing its intended job and that it had a tendency to snap and break and cause all sorts of damage to the brake drum.  Has anyone heard of this? The car has gone 25,000 miles and no problems for 50 years. I think this is only the second brake job that the car has had. Any thoughts? Thanks

[carlite65]

i have never heard of that bulletin. i have done countless brake jobs and never had a problem with that spring coming off.

[Building 3]

289 2V. This is a photo of the rear drum.  The car has power drum brakes all around.

[carlite65]

photo not attached??

[Building 3]

The photo should be there now.

[CharlesTurner]

The spring should be there.  I've only seen them blue though, not red.  Pic attached of a '65.  Only thing I believe wrong with this pic is the brake shoe on the back should have a black hold-down spring instead of blue.  (Same applies to rear brakes).  The hold-down washers should be zinc w/dichromate also...

[CW4macret]

Agreed spring is needed for proper application of the brakes. I have always installed.

[Building 3]

Thanks for all of the input.  The spring stays. Appreciate the help.