I need some advice here. I may be at a work stoppage due to discomfort in lack of knowledge. I am doing my brakes, wheel cylinders, bearings, and seals plus boots up front.
I have two pics of the return spring. One is the old. original spring installed and one is with the old original next to the new "replacement" purchased from a reputable vendor.
My concern is this. the new spring is 3/8 of an inch shorter and of course much stronger due to being new. I am sure that the old spring being heat soaked many times over the decades has made it weaker but the old spring seems relaxed and within the manufacturer's original length while removed. A new spring being shorter seems like a really big no-no especially since it is much stronger being new. I installed one drum but am stopping here until I get some valued opinions.
Note; The bag did not have the part number on it and could be the famous N.S. replacement but I personally do not know. I guess I will contact the vendor as well to see about this from their side.
UPDATE: I measured the new and old springs today in the daylight and the old spring is 7.750 inch over all length and the new spring is 7.250 inch long so that is .5 inch difference.
jimm1009
aka, Jim
PS: Boy are these tires heavy!