HELP! Parking brake lever return spring - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

StoningtonQB · 07-21-2016, 01:26 PM

My parking brake lever in the cab is missing the return spring. I'm planning on getting a spring kit from the parts store and making one work. Can someone give me an idea how long this spring is supposed to be? Probably going to get a cheap wheel cylinder kit and use a spring from it.

Andy4639 · 07-21-2016, 01:43 PM

I just replaced mine about 2 months ago now. The whole thing. The spring is in the picture.

**dmjlambert** · 07-21-2016, 09:42 PM

For the main pedal return on mine I used one of the springs in a 3 pack of general purpose springs from home depot. I connected it at the cable pin and added a thin washer before installing the cotter pin. Wrapped it around the bottom of the main assembly and attached the other end to the bolt that holds the little retainer bracket for the brake cable.

72bowtiestepper · 07-22-2016, 09:43 AM

I used a general purpose spring from Lowes attached to the original mounting location....works fine.

StoningtonQB · 07-22-2016, 01:04 PM

Thanks guys I will look into doing this over the weekend.

**dmjlambert** · 07-22-2016, 01:06 PM

Some of the springs are more difficult than others. There are 3 springs in the parking brake assembly: main pedal return, pull lever return (the easy one to replace), and the clicker spring. The main pedal and clicker springs were broken on mine. The clicker works well with a vice grip spring, which Irwin tools gives for free.

tdangle · 07-22-2016, 06:34 PM

Can you replace the "clicker" spring?

**dmjlambert** · 07-22-2016, 06:58 PM

I think it would be difficult to find a replacement spring of the same type and difficult to take apart and rebuild, but some people have really good skills and tools. For me it was more practical to remove loose bits of the original torsion spring and add a small tension spring. I hooked it over the lever, and it did not require disassembly of any part. I found a vice grip spring works very well, it was just the right size and tension and it has the hooked end to go over the clicker lever. I don't have access to add a picture right now, wish I did.

**dmjlambert** · 07-22-2016, 07:49 PM

I'm not the best artist, but here is my drawing to amuse. Looking at the clicker lever head on, it pokes out of the housing slot. Hook end 1 of the spring to the lever on the inside of the housing. Hook end 2 to the frame of the parking brake assy.

07-21-2016, 01:26 PM	#1
StoningtonQB Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CT Posts: 109	HELP! Parking brake lever return spring My parking brake lever in the cab is missing the return spring. I'm planning on getting a spring kit from the parts store and making one work. Can someone give me an idea how long this spring is supposed to be? Probably going to get a cheap wheel cylinder kit and use a spring from it.

07-21-2016, 01:43 PM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: HELP! Parking brake lever return spring I just replaced mine about 2 months ago now. The whole thing. The spring is in the picture. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

07-21-2016, 09:42 PM	#3
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,812	Re: HELP! Parking brake lever return spring For the main pedal return on mine I used one of the springs in a 3 pack of general purpose springs from home depot. I connected it at the cable pin and added a thin washer before installing the cotter pin. Wrapped it around the bottom of the main assembly and attached the other end to the bolt that holds the little retainer bracket for the brake cable.

07-22-2016, 09:43 AM	#4
72bowtiestepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Northwest NJ Posts: 684	Re: HELP! Parking brake lever return spring I used a general purpose spring from Lowes attached to the original mounting location....works fine.

07-22-2016, 01:04 PM	#5
StoningtonQB Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CT Posts: 109	Re: HELP! Parking brake lever return spring Thanks guys I will look into doing this over the weekend.

07-22-2016, 01:06 PM	#6
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,812	Re: HELP! Parking brake lever return spring Some of the springs are more difficult than others. There are 3 springs in the parking brake assembly: main pedal return, pull lever return (the easy one to replace), and the clicker spring. The main pedal and clicker springs were broken on mine. The clicker works well with a vice grip spring, which Irwin tools gives for free.

07-22-2016, 06:34 PM	#7
tdangle Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,210	Re: HELP! Parking brake lever return spring Can you replace the "clicker" spring? __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

07-22-2016, 06:58 PM	#8
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,812	Re: HELP! Parking brake lever return spring I think it would be difficult to find a replacement spring of the same type and difficult to take apart and rebuild, but some people have really good skills and tools. For me it was more practical to remove loose bits of the original torsion spring and add a small tension spring. I hooked it over the lever, and it did not require disassembly of any part. I found a vice grip spring works very well, it was just the right size and tension and it has the hooked end to go over the clicker lever. I don't have access to add a picture right now, wish I did.

07-22-2016, 07:49 PM	#9
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,812	Re: HELP! Parking brake lever return spring I'm not the best artist, but here is my drawing to amuse. Looking at the clicker lever head on, it pokes out of the housing slot. Hook end 1 of the spring to the lever on the inside of the housing. Hook end 2 to the frame of the parking brake assy. Attached Images



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