<VV> brake note - another way to skin the cat

[NicolCS at aol.com]

<snip>I install brake shoes with the shoes together. Install the  lower  
spring (just above the adjuster) to tie the two shoes together,  install the 
adjuster between the two shoes, and take this assembly to the  backing plate and 
start the hold down pins into each shoe, making sure the shoes  engage into the 
actuator pins in the wheel cylinder.  <unsnip>
 
Well... there is more than one way to skin a cat.  I have tried the  above 
and of course it works well - if you have a spring tool or are willing to  do 
the springs with a screwdriver.  
 
Here's the way I do drum brakes;  
Put the cylinder push rods in the cylinder boots and the "washer" on  the 
upper pin.

Put the appropriate parts(including the spring) on the rear shoe.
Hold the shoe up and out so you can hook the upper spring and shoe on the  
anchor pin.
Swing it down into place (automatically stretching the spring) and install  
the hold-down.
Put the flat crossbar and spring in place.
Install all the components on the front shoe, place it on the anchor pin,  
swing it down into position (automatically stretching the spring), and install  
the hold-down pin.
Place the lower spring on the shoes (zero tension, there's no adjuster  yet).
Place the fully collapsed adjuster half-way in, spread the shoes by hooking  
fingers from each hand under the shoes and swing the adjuster into place.
 
There! You have installed the shoes without any danger or drama - and no  
tools.  The *only* hard part is steering the wheel cylinder push-rods into  
position as you swing the shoes into place.
 
Craig (loose spring or two) Nicol