Well I’m still working on my van. It’s fighting me but I still love it. My 1986 has the brake springs that hook to a pin that looks like a fishhook. Please tell me a trick to getting them back on. I’ve had them on n off but my axle was out. I’m having a fit with that big axle in. It’s a 9.25 rear 8 lug. Do I have to pull the axle back out to get it done? It’s behind the park brake lever. U ppl have been great in helping a new to dodge guy who wants to keep his old van forever

 

. On the end of one of the handles, is a depression, and hook, designed to grab ahold of that pin, and then you simply lever the spring into place. It slides down the handle, and onto the pin.

Can you post a pic, so I am steering you right?

 

I’m trying to figure out how to work this site. Don’t see how to send u a pic . One pin looks like a big fishhook n it comes in from the backing plate, the other is a short fat coil that hooks to the break shoe n u have to prise it back for the hook on the end to catch the fishhook pin. I’ve had them on n off but the big axle was out. I guess I’ll have to drain the rear n take out the c clips n axles to get the shoes back on. Took the wheel cylinder off n still couldn’t get it. The new wheel cylinders don’t push in enough to get the shoes in to put the pin fishhook together

 

Can you pull the shoes off and hook the ends of the springs where they need to connect then angle the shoes into position then install the cups and springs to hold the shoes on?

 

site won’t let me reply. Its not like newer dodges. It doesn’t have the little round retainers with a spring under them. It’s got fish hooks instead. There isn’t room to hook them up first. The emergency brake lever n big 8 lug axle don’t leave room to do that. I guess I’ll have to pull the axles to be able to reach underneath n get spring on the fishhook pin. Sure wish there was an easier way

 

Even though the hook is used instead of the cups and springs, I still think you can do what I suggested.. Assemble the springs to the shoes, hooked in the proper holes. Work the assembly around the spindle putting the top of the shoes into the rear cylinder. Shorten the adjuster all the way in then put it on down on the bottom.. Hook the shoes from the back. Often there is a leading shoe and a trailing shoe, so make sure you get that right.

 

I finally got them on🤣. I found screw in back of emergency brake lever n it gave me room to manhandle them in like you said. Thanks a million. U have been a big help. Wish i could send u pic of steering box column connection. It just don’t look right. I’m gonna rebuild this thing from front to back. I’ll keep it forever.

 

To attach a photo, you first need to have one on your computer. Then, when you hit the "quote" button or for a quick reply, you go advanced, there will be a button labeled "manage attachments".That will let you find files on your computer. Once you select them, you hit the upload button. Then, when you post, they will appear in your post.

I'd be interested in seeing your brakes as that's what I've done for 55 years.

 

This is easy one
hard ones behind the parking brake lever

 

Wow. Ok, that's different. I don't think I have ever seen that style before......