Patent ID: 6044535
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A tool for releasing and holding brake springs to facilitate maintenance operations for a drum brake arrangement, comprising:main support means for removably resting on an exposed wheel flange of a vehicle wheel drive assembly having a drum brake arrangement;retraction means having a longitudinal axis and an operative length extending therealong from a surface of said main support means; and,a collar laterally fixed to said main support means, the collar surrounding a portion of the retraction means along at least about one half of said operative length, said retraction means being laterally displacable within said collar so as to guide movement of said retraction means along said longitudinal axis, thereby preventing binding of said retraction means from any forces lateral to said longitudinal axis;wherein said retraction means provides for controlled retracting and holding of at least one brake spring associated with a brake shoe of the drum brake arrangement, so that the drum brake shoes of the drum brake arrangement with which said tool is used may be selectively released from tension from their respective brake springs by controlled actuation of said retraction means, for ease of access and disassembly of the drum brake arrangement.