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[zbethem]

Hello everyone.

I'm going to be doing my first drum brake job soon on my TR4A. I've been looking at the drums for awhile now and I have a general question. On my old truck ('69 Jeep Gladiator), the springs are easy to get at. By that I mean the springs are on the outside of the shoes. The springs on the Triumph are the reversed. Is there a trick in getting the springs installed? Access seems limited between the shoes and the backing plate.

Thanks for helping me figure it out. 

[TR3driver]

The method that I find easiest is to assemble the return springs to the shoes first, and then install the shoes and springs together.  Hold a shoe in each hand, pulling a little bit to keep the springs tight (so they don't fall out).  Set the top spring over the hub, then the bottom spring.  I find that I can usually work both shoes into their respective slots in the cylinder by hand.  Then I put one shoe into it's slot in the adjuster, and use a suitable pry bar (aka screwdriver) to put the other shoe in place.

Then install the hold-down pins and springs.

[zbethem]

Thanks.

I spotted a video on YouTube going through the process for an MGB. It worked the same as you described. Having the springs on the inside had me all confused I guess.