Weak brake shoe return springs, I think!

[MikeZ]

Hi All,
I was talking to Terry Zeug at the Southern California region annual Christmas party this weekend.
He says that the return springs on my 51 Henry J. are the same thing as some model of a Willy's.
He also said someone in the club could point me to where to buy them. I hope he is right and that whoever it is reads this! I would appreciate the help. Actually, I wouldn't mind replacing all the parts that are available, except the brake shoes which are almost new.

I have already replaced the wheel cylinders and plan on replacing the master cylinder which I can get from Terry. The problem is that the brakes hang up but only partially and only now and then and only on either one of the front wheels.
I also would appreciate any other advice about the brakes!
Thanks,
Mike

[Fid]

I don't have a number for the spring but you might try measuring it and comparing it with one of these -
http://www.kaiserwillys.com/category/willys-jeep-brakes-return-springs-parts-accessories

or one of these -
http://walcks4wd.com/brake-system.html?cat=35&p=1
http://walcks4wd.com/brake-system.html?cat=35&p=2

If you find one is a match, by all means, let us know.

[MikeZ]

Thanks Lowell,
I'll check it out and let you know what I find out.
Mike

[retired wrench]

Sometimes the rubber brake hoses come apart inside due to age and block the return of fluid to the M cyl causing a brake to drag. A check for this would be to loosen the bleeder screw ( if it will turn) and see if this releases the offending brake. Unless the pedal is binding the spring in the M cyl should push the piston back.

[Fid]

Very good point retired wrench! Thoses hoses are always bad. And they're available at NAPA. Take one off and try to push a thin wire through it and I'd bet you can't. Or if you don't care about bad tastes, try and blow through it. They shrivel shut due to age and replacing all three makes a huge difference. Let me know if you need part numbers.

[MikeZ]

Thanks guys.
I'm afraid the hoses are fairly new. I replaced all 3 of them about 1 1/2 years ago.
I have also replaced all 4 wheel cylinders at the same time.
I'm kind of grasping at straws here!

[retired wrench]

How are the springs on the brake shoes?

[MikeZ]

Well, I think I fond some brake return springs!
I got the Willy's part number from Mike at Kaiser-Willys Auto Supply http://www.kaiserwillys.com/.
The upper or cylinder return spring is Part #805601. The lower return spring is Part #805602 which I think are Willys part numbers.
 He did not have the top return spring so I did an internet search and came up with a website called Jungle Jim's Willys Jeep Parts  http://www.willysjeepparts.com/9_Wheel_Brake_Mechanism.htm. He had both top and bottom springs. Jungle Jim's also listed the top return spring as part #637905. The guy I spoke with said it was the same part which it appears to be looking at the pictures on his website.

The Jungle Jim's guy seemed pretty sure these are the right parts and they sure look the same. I ordered the parts. As soon as I get them I'll post the results of installing them.

Thanks for the help all!
Mike

[Henry's HenryJs]

Mike do you have the numbers for the hoses and could you post them on here? Thanks, Henry.

[Fid]

Wagner 10491 / NAPA UP 5784 for the front two and NAPA 36091 or UP 36091 for the rear one.

[Henry's HenryJs]

Thanks fid.