49 kaiser brake spacer

[fathersondream]

Got everything i need for brakes now?Problem is i have some metal bar spacers that appear to go
between the shoes right below the wheel cylinders but dont see them in the pic from the shop manual?
They fit into the shoes and there is a groove in the shoe for them?Question is should i install them or
not?They were in the seat of the parts car.Have seen them on some chevys.Thanx

[HJ-ETEX]

If you don't install the bars, then your emergency/parking brake will not work.
Well, this is ironic. I went to look at a shop manual for an early car and all I could were parts books.
Earlier today I wanted a 51 Parts book and all I could find were shop manuals.
OK, there is a lever that mounts on the rear shoe on the rear brakes. The emergency/parking brake cable attaches to the bottom of this lever. The 'mysterious' bar fits between this lever and the front shoe just under the wheel cylinder. You pull on the cable and the lever pushes the bar against the front shoe and forces the front shoe against the brake drum. If you examine the bar, you will find the end that goes against the rear shoe & lever has a slot wider than the end that goes against the front shoe.
Yes, the emergency/parking brake only engages the front shoe and that is why it is more effective at holding the car from going forward than it is when backing up.   

[fathersondream]

Ok thanx.So they only go on the rear not the front?

[Logan]

Yes, they only go on the rear.  Here is a diagram.



The spacer is no 3, called a link for the hand brake.

[Logan]

Just realized, this is a diagram for 51-55s.  I don't know if 47-51 is the same or not.

[fathersondream]

Looks the same.Thanx