Anti-Rattle Spring
 

I am installing the anti-rattle springs and since they were missing I am not sure I have them on right See photos

Re: Anti-Rattle Spring
 

I think they are supposed to be against the nub on the rod so they keep the lever and shoes all the way off the drums. Bratton's calls them return springs.

Re: Anti-Rattle Spring
 

They do both functions. My truck rattled/squeaked, and the brake lamp had a tendency to keep the stop lamp on. Some of the springs were put on incorrectly when I got the truck, and I had to pull back on the brake pedal with my foot for an additional 1/2" or so travel to make the stop lamp go off. Took them off, reformed them slightly to give a decent spring force, reinstalled them correctly - both issues remedied.

Re: Anti-Rattle Spring
 

Yeah, the spring or bracket is supposed to be placed against the shoulder nub on the brake rod, on the side of the nub closer the middle of the car, i.e., closer to the cross-shaft. That way the spring is always putting tension on the rod to try to push it away from the cross-shaft and nudge the actuating lever back to the null position. You might have to try a couple different arrangements regarding which side of the frame mount point the spring sits on before the right tension is achieved.

Re: Anti-Rattle Spring
 

Thanks all of you for your advise.

Re: Anti-Rattle Spring
 

The anti-rattlers push the front rods forward, and are mounted to the front side of the bracket.
The rears push the brake rods rearward, and are mounted on the rear side of the brackets.