Topic: Need help identifying this tool

[MoMo]

I recently bought an old Snap On tool box from an old time auto mechanic at an auction.  I think he had been in business since the late 50s.  Anyhow, inside the box were a half dozen of these. Anyone have any idea what the use would be?  I think something to do with brakes

[Ichiban 4]

Yeah..agree with you Mo-Mo..

Probably brake spring retainers..used to hold brake springs compressed (on drum/shoe brakes) while installing springs on opposite side where slave cylinder clevis' is attached.  After whole brake assembly is installed..those clips were removed.

We used to use brake-spring-pliers mainly..to hold springs during shoe-brake assembly..but seem to remember some mechanics using those clips..which would reduce fumbling..need for a "second pair of hands"

Ichi

[MoMo]

Kind of what I thought but I never did brakes on a car. They are quite heavy as they are cast iron.  Also in the box were a couple dozen old Snap On carburetor gauges(probably for Holley, Rochester and Carter carbs).  Thanks for the feedback Ichi...Larry

[MoMo]

thanks for chiming in cal, couldn't truck springs be that long?  Just asking as I've never seen inside a truck brake drum.  thanks...

[MoMo]

Pretty sure from the 50s as the lot of Snap On Carb gauges in the box dates to that era.  Just trying to find closure, hopefully someone will know for sure. Guess I need an older than me car mechanic...Larry

[754]

I cant see brakes either. It looks like they are set at 5 and 5 1/2 inches in length, but not machined...so not super precise..could be a setting guage or to space something while welding. , the fact they are cast, makes it seem they made lots of them. Hmmmmm..?  ?

[MoMo]

I cant see brakes either. It looks like they are set at 5 and 5 1/2 inches in length, but not machined...so not super precise..could be a setting guage or to space something while welding. , the fact they are cast, makes it seem they made lots of them. Hmmmmm..?  ?

Thanks Frank,  I have 7 total so I'm sure you're correct that lots were made

[chewbacca5000]

So they are not Australian chopsticks?  Looks like something Dave would use for Kangaroo chop suey when he is not pushing starting his bike or drinking one of those giant Aussie beers. 

Man I miss seeing that dude around.  Heard he was taking a break.  Can't wait until he returns with words of enlightenment, "Kickstarter real men don't need a freaking kicker".

[333]

Are there any markings at all?

[mrbreeze]

Could they be parts for a gear puller?

[faux fiddy]

"Kickstarter real men don't need a freaking kicker".

Unless I want to ride?

Not sure I've ever seen anything like that  laying   around a shop, but are there any suspension springs that size?

[scottly]

How many different sizes are there? It looks familiar, but I can't place it. I'm thinking they may be parts, not tools? They look like something that would be used to connect two cables with loops on the ends, or maybe clutch linkage parts?

[MoMo]

Are there any markings at all?

shorter one has 3200327   2,   longer 3020328    1

[eigenvector]

Could those be part of a strut puller?

[mrbreeze]

My curiosity got me on this matter last night so I started trying to find an answer. I looked at Snap-On sites, googled unidentified tools and maybe a few other things and ended up still baffled. If it is something automotive or tool related I couldn't find anything so may just have to wait for the right person to see it and say "Oh yeah...that's a ___________. We used those for ______"  When we find that guy......it will probably make perfect sense. They still look like something to hold something to me.....like I said...for a gear puller to keep the jaws from spreading (?)

[MoMo]

My curiosity got me on this matter last night so I started trying to find an answer. I looked at Snap-On sites, googled unidentified tools and maybe a few other things and ended up still baffled. If it is something automotive or tool related I couldn't find anything so may just have to wait for the right person to see it and say "Oh yeah...that's a ___________. We used those for ______"  When we find that guy......it will probably make perfect sense. They still look like something to hold something to me.....like I said...for a gear puller to keep the jaws from spreading (?)

It seems that Ichi knew what it was, maybe he could verify that he had actually seen it in use.  Not sure if he was surmising of being positive.  Meanwhile I sold the lot of old Snap On carb gauges for $22-half of what I paid for the tool box ....Larry

[Ichiban 4]

My curiosity got me on this matter last night so I started trying to find an answer. I looked at Snap-On sites, googled unidentified tools and maybe a few other things and ended up still baffled. If it is something automotive or tool related I couldn't find anything so may just have to wait for the right person to see it and say "Oh yeah...that's a ___________. We used those for ______"  When we find that guy......it will probably make perfect sense. They still look like something to hold something to me.....like I said...for a gear puller to keep the jaws from spreading (?)

It seems that Ichi knew what it was, maybe he could verify that he had actually seen it in use.  Not sure if he was surmising of being positive.  Meanwhile I sold the lot of old Snap On carb gauges for $22-half of what I paid for the tool box ....Larry

_____________________________________________________________________________________
MoMo..

Yeah..I do remember seeing those in use in the 1960's..when brake shops were installing new brake shoes.
They would fasten the hook ends to the shoes to keep them in-place as they installed the brake springs. The pistons in the brake slave cylinders would pop out if there wasn't pressure on them as the shoes were being changed out.  Otherwise it took two mechanics to hold things in position as the old shoes were being removed..and new ones installed.

After thinking about my previous post..I realized that those hooks weren't to compress the brake springs particularly..but to hold the shoes in position so the springs could be attached.  Sorry about that.  Had to think back over 50 years LOL!

Ichi

[333]

Having done many drum brake jobs, I don't see how something like these could be used.  What would they attach to?  Pistons don't pop out unless someone pushes the pedal.

[mrbreeze]

My curiosity got me on this matter last night so I started trying to find an answer. I looked at Snap-On sites, googled unidentified tools and maybe a few other things and ended up still baffled. If it is something automotive or tool related I couldn't find anything so may just have to wait for the right person to see it and say "Oh yeah...that's a ___________. We used those for ______"  When we find that guy......it will probably make perfect sense. They still look like something to hold something to me.....like I said...for a gear puller to keep the jaws from spreading (?)

It seems that Ichi knew what it was, maybe he could verify that he had actually seen it in use.  Not sure if he was surmising of being positive.  Meanwhile I sold the lot of old Snap On carb gauges for $22-half of what I paid for the tool box ....Larry

_____________________________________________________________________________________
MoMo..

Yeah..I do remember seeing those in use in the 1960's..when brake shops were installing new brake shoes.
They would fasten the hook ends to the shoes to keep them in-place as they installed the brake springs. The pistons in the brake slave cylinders would pop out if there wasn't pressure on them as the shoes were being changed out.  Otherwise it took two mechanics to hold things in position as the old shoes were being removed..and new ones installed.

After thinking about my previous post..I realized that those hooks weren't to compress the brake springs particularly..but to hold the shoes in position so the springs could be attached.  Sorry about that.  Had to think back over 50 years LOL!

Ichi

OK. I can see that. I have done hundreds of brake jobs over the years. Although I've never seen or used those pieces I can see how they would be useful. I've always done my own brakes and started working on cars professionally around 1990. I didn't see as many drum brakes as a 1950's tech would have but I know enough about them to say they're more of a PITA to work on than disc brakes. Sometimes you need 6 or 7 hands to get things put together.

[754]

 I need. A diagram...napkin drawing... Just. Not seeing it in my head..

[Stev-o]

I need. A diagram...napkin drawing... Just. Not seeing it in my head..

Send me a copy too please. I'll provide a SASE as a courtesy.

Prefer a CAD, and plz send in PDF plz...

[754]

Too much work .....just give er one of these....

[scottly]

The brakes I've worked on had a light compression spring that held the shoe against the backing plate, so there was never a problem holding the shoe in place while stretching the springs into place. I never needed extra hands, and I don't see how these tools would have helped?

[mrbreeze]

The brakes I've worked on had a light compression spring that held the shoe against the backing plate, so there was never a problem holding the shoe in place while stretching the springs into place. I never needed extra hands, and I don't see how these tools would have helped?

I guess that means I've been doing it wrong all these years

[CycleRanger]

The brakes I've worked on had a light compression spring that held the shoe against the backing plate, so there was never a problem holding the shoe in place while stretching the springs into place. I never needed extra hands, and I don't see how these tools would have helped?

Could be they are for larger (truck) drums. Or very old drum brakes, say 30's-40's.

[MoMo]

The brakes I've worked on had a light compression spring that held the shoe against the backing plate, so there was never a problem holding the shoe in place while stretching the springs into place. I never needed extra hands, and I don't see how these tools would have helped?

Could be they are for larger (truck) drums. Or very old drum brakes, say 30's-40's.

He wasn't that old, probably in his late 70s to early 80s...Larry

[Stev-o]

The brakes I've worked on had a light compression spring that held the shoe against the backing plate, so there was never a problem holding the shoe in place while stretching the springs into place. I never needed extra hands, and I don't see how these tools would have helped?

Could be they are for larger (truck) drums. Or very old drum brakes, say 30's-40's.

He wasn't that old, probably in his late 70s to early 80s...Larry

Is he still around?  We need a confirmed answer, the suspense is killing me!

[CycleRanger]

The brakes I've worked on had a light compression spring that held the shoe against the backing plate, so there was never a problem holding the shoe in place while stretching the springs into place. I never needed extra hands, and I don't see how these tools would have helped?

Could be they are for larger (truck) drums. Or very old drum brakes, say 30's-40's.

He wasn't that old, probably in his late 70s to early 80s...Larry

Hmm,  Well, we're probably all wrong and they have nothing to do with brakes!

btw, I did a google image search for any matching images and came up with zip.

[MoMo]

The brakes I've worked on had a light compression spring that held the shoe against the backing plate, so there was never a problem holding the shoe in place while stretching the springs into place. I never needed extra hands, and I don't see how these tools would have helped?

Could be they are for larger (truck) drums. Or very old drum brakes, say 30's-40's.

He wasn't that old, probably in his late 70s to early 80s...Larry

Hmm,  Well, we're probably all wrong and they have nothing to do with brakes!

btw, I did a google image search for any matching images and came up with zip.

Did the same thing many times with the same result, which'd be zilch. 



The owner of the shop was at the auction but took off once it started.  Since the building was sold I think it'd be pretty tough to locate him....Larrt

[mark]

I've been through a mess of old auto mechanic tool boxes and never seen anything like what you have there.

 

[71NOVADUDE]

 I asked a friend about these tools and low and behold he found out.

http://www.oldsobsolete.com/products-page/american-motors-parts-for-sale/1957-a-m-c-spring-clamp-tool-kit-nos-3200377/

They are used on Nash/AMC cars to remove the front springs. The spring is between two cups with lips that have holes in them. You jack up the opposite rear corner to compress the spring and hook that tool in each hole. Then you lower the jack to remove spring.

[Stev-o]

There ya go, glad that is solved. 

[CycleRanger]

Huh, so they are spring tools and are apparently worth money.

[ofreen]

The brakes I've worked on had a light compression spring that held the shoe against the backing plate, so there was never a problem holding the shoe in place while stretching the springs into place. I never needed extra hands, and I don't see how these tools would have helped?

Hard to say how many drum brakes I've done over the years.  Just did a '68 Mustang with drum brakes all around.  As with most things, using the right technique makes it easy. No need for extra hands.

[mrbreeze]

I asked a friend about these tools and low and behold he found out.

http://www.oldsobsolete.com/products-page/american-motors-parts-for-sale/1957-a-m-c-spring-clamp-tool-kit-nos-3200377/

They are used on Nash/AMC cars to remove the front springs. The spring is between two cups with lips that have holes in them. You jack up the opposite rear corner to compress the spring and hook that tool in each hole. Then you lower the jack to remove spring.

That makes more sense than brake tools. At $125 per 4 pack....they are pricey.

[RevDoc]

Just found this thread & was wondering if anyone was going to explain when I got to Nova's posting. They, or a similar tool, had another use. Way back in the Dark Ages when I worked in the Mtc. shop of a trucking company I saw them used for coil spring & shock absorber changes. Jack up the A-frame to compress the shock & spring, then hold the spring compressed with that tool. Lower the jack and change the spring or shock. Use multiple ones to be safe. If one of those springs got loose you damn well better not be in the line of fire!

[mrbreeze]

Just found this thread & was wondering if anyone was going to explain when I got to Nova's posting. They, or a similar tool, had another use. Way back in the Dark Ages when I worked in the Mtc. shop of a trucking company I saw them used for coil spring & shock absorber changes. Jack up the A-frame to compress the shock & spring, then hold the spring compressed with that tool. Lower the jack and change the spring or shock. Use multiple ones to be safe. If one of those springs got loose you damn well better not be in the line of fire!

You got that right! I know a guy that took the brake pot on a semi trailer apart without caging the spring. Didn't kill him but hit him in the chest and knocked him on his a$$. Very dangerous to work with if not done properly.