[FlatheadTed]

Some tools don't cut it you have to improvise as you said , we have the spring pliers but on 38 brakes (can be a pain ) we use a large flat screw driver near the rivet to roll the spring off then like Coup man we use a thin 9" electrical one to slide the spring down works good ,with 38 brakes make sure the springs go in the right place the colours and placement you can see here .