How do I get this back on? Spring seems to go all the way to the end and attachment point I can't squeeze on, hook on or anything else.

 

Solved the puzzle.
The bottom has a little wedge built into the edge. Need to use channel locks to squeeze the lever into the spring on the cable and jam it through. Still not easy for me.

 

After watching a video on someone replacing one of these (without showing how they got it back on), maybe I should take the tension off of the emergency/parking brake adjuster and try again.

 

If I remember correct, that is the trick. Also, make sure the cable isn't seized up .

 

Mark the threaded rod where the two cables connect at the equalizer. That mark is just a reference point. Loosen the nut all the way out so you can connect the cables to parking brake lever in the drums. Once connected, tighten the nut to take the slack out of the cables. That is the only way to get both ends connected as you need to overcome the tension in the cables. Adjust the parking brake as needed, AFTER the shoes, etc. are all hooked up and adjusted.

 

The part I was having trouble with was connecting the levers to the parking brake cables in the drums. How do you do that part correctly?

 

Anyway, got the shoes and drum on the passenger side. Trailing drum on the driver's side before I gave up today.

Plan tomorrow is getting the driver's side fully assembled, bleed and flush (partial flush anyway, when clean fluid comes out both rear speed bleeders) then adjust that E brake.

Since I don't know if anybody adjusted the E brake correctly since it left the factory, the plan is to set the handle at 2 or 3 clicks up, then tighten the cable down.

BTW, the AC Delco (from AC Delco on Amazon) shoes and drum on the passenger side fit perfect. I had to adjust the star/screw adjuster all the way in and the drum dragged what sounds and feels like perfect from watching some of the better videos.

 

The one thing about adjusting drum brakes that everybody has forgotten is to turn the star wheel until you can't turn the tire by hand, and I mean tight! Then back off the star wheel until the shoes just kiss the drum. That centers the shoes in the drum and lets all the parts settle into position. Then you release the adjuster so the shoes just clear the drum and the little bit of drag allows the shoes to wear-match the drums without getting hot. Jack it up after driving it a fair distance to make sure there is no drag. I used to race my 67 Camaro with 4-wheel drums and getting them right was critical to low times and proper braking.

 

Seems like the passenger side is too tight. Need to take the drums off tomorrow and see what is going on. And no e brake.

After I figure out what is going on in the drums/shoes, need to tighten that e brake down more.

Passenger side drum is running about 100F higher than left side.