brake spring

[Flywheel]

hello, can someone please tell me purpose of the spring in the pic marked by white arrow. I have some brake shoes with and without this and was wondering what its is and whether it is ok to run brake shoes without that spring

thank you

[alanhall]

I believe this spring holds the shoe against the backing plate to prevent it from moving around and rubbing against the drum. I don't think I would run without them.

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... am just curious what year that is?
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[Flywheel]

Hi, its a 1943 Type 82 Kubelwagen but I assume all cable brake VWs would be the same.

I just had a closer look at the brake shoes and backing plate as they are currently off the car and it looks like the pin that goes through that spring on the shoe rides on a high point on the backing plate. Infact on close inspection I can see two purpose made dimples in the plates where those pins are supposed to sit. Funny, I never noticed those before.

Thanks very much for the help and pointing me in the right direction

Andy

[brycetx]

It seems if it were to keep the shoe from rubbing the drum it would be toward the center of the shoe. It has a pin that goes through and slides against the backing plate and also catches a stop on the backing plate. The spring's position next to the spreader mechanism would suggest it keeps the shoe straight from twisting into the backing plate. The flat spring keeps the shoe from rubbing on the drum.

[Flywheel]

thanks for those details and great pics - nice observations

Andy

[Lars B]

I think they prevent the shoe to press against the spreader mechanism causing it to move the other side and maybey move that brake shoe causing rubbing against the drum.
Or
It can also prevent the spreader function to be pressed together so much that it would prevent it to work properly.

Bendix type brakes have an anchor pin it the top preventing the brake shoes to move the pistons over to one side so it wont "drop" out causing leaks.

Think these pins have the same function.