Cadillac Repair: 1992 Cadillac Deville brake job, duty hook, cadillac deville

Question
1992 Cadillac Deville rear brake job. How do you get the springs back on after replacing the pads? I have a tool for the small upper spring, which I put on first. The larger U-shaped spring is the problem. Does the bottom go in and then stretch the ends in place or the other way around?

Answer
Hi Jes, The Larger u-shaped spring needs to be attached to the backing plate at the bottom first. Then the shoes and adjustor and adjustor actuator(thing the small spring hooks to) go in place and then the small spring is last. The trick to getting the u-shaped spring in place is a heavy duty hook shaped tool that hooks the spring and then you pull it into place on the shoe hole. Then the other side is done the same way. I havn't had to try useing anything but the special tool although you might be able to use the hook in the brake spring pliers that are available from sears. You could try calling some parts stores such as auto zone and see if that might be a loaner tool or they have it for purchase. Otherwise I would call some shops to find out if the tool truck is comming to their place and what time and then buy the tool from the snap-on, mac, matco or cornwell person so you don't get hurt useing the wrong tool. Hope that helps. Bill