Can't get spring on the shoe to compress enough to make the emergency brake cable pull all the way through, do I need a special tool?

You take off the top spring then the adjuster then release the spring holding the back shoe then take off the bottom spring then the front shoe spring with that shoe loose you can disconnect the parking brake do not set the parking bake to do a brake job you can't get the drum off to start with

What you need to do is get as much slack in the cable as possible. The E-brake is on a self-adjusting reel which winds the cable as the lining gets thinner. Watch finger tips.as you need to release a spring loaded tang to let cable roll out of reel. Sometimes you need to pull cable beneath drivers door area to unspool the cable.

When you return to the rear of the car check where the cable fastens to the rear brake mechanism. The fixture may need to be pushed into the brake backing plate.

Sometimes you need to twist the brake shoe onto the cable and THEN pin the shoe to the backing plate.

needle nose pliers great help pulling brake springs back in place.

Hi:) Make sure the brake shoes are on the wright side the short shoe goes on the front part of the backing plate and make sure the emergency brakes are loose enough. They are what adjust the brakes (pulling and releasing the brakes adjust the brake slack while backing up) so check the springs and cable for proper installation.

Removal & Installation

1. For the 1500HD, relieve the tension from the park brake cable by pulling down on the park brake cable in front of the equalizer then removing the cable from the equalizer bar.
   
2. For the 25/35 series Disable the park brake cable automatic adjuster.
   
3. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
   
4. Remove the tire and the wheel.
   
5. Perform the following procedure to remove the cable (2) from the backing plate (4):
   
   • Compress the spring (3) by pushing toward the lever (1).
     
   • Depress the locking tabs.
     
   • Pull the cable housing out of the backing plate (4).
     
   • Remove the cable (2) through the slot in the backing plate.
     

     Lever (1), cable (2), spring (3) and backing plate (4)
     

6. Remove the park brake cable (2) from the lever (1).
   
7. Remove the rotor.
   
8. Remove the rear axle shaft.
   
9. Remove the park brake shoe return spring (6).
   

   Park brake shoe assembly 1500HD, 25 and 35 Series
   Click to Enlarge

10. Remove the park brake shoe anchor springs and pins.
    
11. Separate the tips of the shoes from the park brake actuator and remove the park brake shoes and adjuster assembly from the vehicle.
    

To install:

1. Clean the debris and the dust from the park brake components using a clean shop cloth.
   
2. Install the adjuster assembly to the park brake shoes.
   
3. Separate the tips of the shoes and install the park brake shoes to the park brake actuator.
   
4. Install the park brake shoe anchor springs and pins.
   
5. Install the park brake shoe return spring (6).
   
6. Adjust the park brake shoe.
   
7. Install the rear axle shaft.
   
8. Install the rotor.
   
9. Install the park brake cable (2) to the lever (1).
   
10. Perform the following procedure to install the cable (2) to the backing plate (4):
    
    • Compress the spring (3) by pushing towards the lever (1).
      
    • Route the cable (2) through the slot in the backing plate.
      
    • Push the cable housing into the backing plate (4) until the locking tabs snap into place.
      
11. Install the tire and wheel.
    
12. Remove the safety stands.
    
13. Lower the vehicle.
    
14. Enable the park brake cable automatic adjuster.
    
15. For the 1500HD, install the park brake cable to the equalizer by pulling down on the park brake cable in front of the equalizer then installing the cable to the equalizer bar.
    
16. Adjust the park brake cable.
    

// // 0) preLoad.src = ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_ImageArray[i]; } ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data.lastIndex = 23; ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data.populateLog = theForm.elements['ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_PopulateLog']; ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data.treeViewID = 'ctl00$cphLeft$chRepairTreeNav$tvTOC'; ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data.name = 'ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data'; //]]> var _strTreeScrollHidName = 'ctl00_hidTreeScrollPos';

First you have to compress the parking brake cable spring and attach the parking brake lever.
Clean and lubricate the brake backing plate.
Use silicon Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectric Compound.
Then,
install the rear brake shoes and linings:
1) position the rear brake shoes and linings
2) position the parking brake lever
3) install the brake shoe hold-down spring pins and the brake shoe hold-down springs.

Install the parking brake strut
1. install the parkig brake link spring on the parking brake strut
2. install the parking brake strut
3. Install the brake shoe anchor ping guide plate.

Install the short brake shoe retracting spring
1. Place the brake shoe adjusting lever cable over the anchor pin, with crimped side in
2. Install the short brake shoe retracting spring

Note: Make sure the brake shoe adjusting lever cable is positioned in the cable guide groove

Install the long brake shoe retracting
1. install the cable guide
2. position the brake shoe adjusting lever cable in the cable guide groove
3. install the long brake shoe retracting spring

Note: to prevent incorrect installation, teh socket of each brake adjuster screw is stamped R or L

Assemble the brake adjuster screw assembly.
1. apply silicone brake caliper grease and dielectric compound
2. install the brake adjuster screw into the brake show adjusting screw nut to the end of the threads and then loosen one half turn
3. install the brake shoe adjusting screw socket on the brake shoe adjusting screw nut.

Install the brake adjuster screw assembly
1. Position the brake adjuster screw assembly
2. Install the brake shoe adjusting screw spring
3. Position the brake shoe adjusting lever cable
4. Position the adjusting lever return spring and the brake shoe adjusting lever
5. Hook the brake shoe adjusting lever cable to the brake shoe adjusting lever.

Test the operation of the automatic self-adjuster
1. Pull the brake shoe adjusting lever cable and check that the brake shoe adjusting lever rotates the brake shoe adjuster assembly
2. Release the brake shoe adjusting lever cable and check that the brake shoe adjusting lever advances to the next notch on the brake shoe adjusting screw nut.

Adjust the brakes.

Install the brake drum.

Thats it

Not that I know of, but I feel your pain. I use pliers to compress the spring and then put needlenose visegrips on the cable to hold it back. Then slip it in the slot. Does this make sense?

Brake Shoes REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Fig. 1: Use a brake cleaner to clean the brake surfaces
Fig. 2: Using a brake tool, remove the return spring from the anchor pin
Fig. 3: Remove the return spring and the adjuster cable guide
Fig. 4: Remove the adjuster cable
Fig. 5: Remove the shoe guide plate
Fig. 6: Disengage the hold-down spring retainers from the hold-down pins
Fig. 7: Remove the hold-down springs and pins
Fig. 8: Pull the shoes apart and then . . .
Fig. 9: . . . remove the parking brake strut and spring
Fig. 10: Remove the shoes from the backing plate
Fig. 11: Disengage the parking brake cable
Fig. 12: Lubricate the shoe contact points — 10 inch drum brake backing plate shown
Fig. 13: Adjusting the gauge to fit the brake drum
Fig. 14: Adjust the brake shoes to fit the gauge
Fig. 15: Adjusting the drum brakes using a brake spoon
CAUTION
Brake shoes may contain asbestos, which has been determined to be a cancer causing agent. Never clean the brake surfaces with compressed air! Avoid inhaling any dust from any brake surface! When cleaning brake surfaces, use a commercially available brake cleaning fluid. NOTE: A brake spring removal tool and a brake adjusting gauge are required for this procedure.

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely with jackstands.
2. If the brakes have never been serviced before, the drums will be held on the wheel studs with spring nuts. Remove the spring nuts and discard.
3. Turn the adjustment starwheel so that the brake shoes are retracted from the brake drum and remove the brake drum.
4. Install wheel cylinder clamps to retain the wheel cylinder pistons in place and prevent leakage of brake fluid while replacing the shoes.
5. Remove the U-clip and washer securing the adjuster cable to the parking brake lever.
6. Remove the adjuster cable, cable guide, adjuster lever and adjuster springs. Remove the return springs with a brake spring remover tool.
7. Remove the hold-down retainers and springs, then remove the brake shoes. To install:
   
8. Clean the backing plate with a brush or cloth. Place a dab of Lubriplate® on each spot where the brake shoes rub on the backing plate. NOTE: Always replace brake linings in axle sets. Never replace linings on one side or just on one wheel.
   
9. Thoroughly clean and lubricate the adjuster cable guides, adjuster screw and pivot, parking brake lever and lever pivot pin with multi-purpose grease.
10. Apply a thin coat of multi-purpose chassis lube to the mounting pads on the backing plate.
11. Transfer the parking brake actuating lever to the new secondary shoe.
12. Position the brake shoes on the backing plate, then install the hold-down springs and retainers. Don't forget to engage the parking brake lever with the cable.
13. Install the parking brake actuating bar and spring between the parking brake lever and primary shoe.
14. Install the self-adjusting cable, cable guide and upper return springs.
15. Thoroughly clean the starwheel and lightly lubricate the threads with lithium based grease.
16. Install the starwheel.
17. Install the self-adjusting cam and lower spring. A big pair of locking pliers is good for this job.
18. Check the surface of the brake shoes for any grease that may have gotten on them. If dirty, lightly clean with a piece of sandpaper.
19. Adjust the brakes, install the brake drum and wheel. Lower the vehicle and test drive.

no wrenches or sockets for caliper bolts and caliper retaining bracket and a c-clamp to compress the caliper piston ----if rotor is not releasing from the e-brake shoes will need a couple of wrenches to loosen the emergency brake cable line

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
If you are not thoroughly familiar with the procedures involved in brake replacement, only disassemble and assemble one side at a time, leaving the other wheel intact as a reference.
1983-88 Vehicles
See Figures 1, 2 and 3

1. Raise and safely support the rear of the vehicle with jackstands.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. Remove the brake drum, as outlined earlier in this section.
4. Place Brake Cylinder Clamp D81L-1103-B or equivalent, over the ends of the brake cylinder.

CAUTIONBe careful that the springs do not slip off the tool during removal, as they could cause personal injury.

1. Remove the shoe-to-anchor springs, using Brake Shoe R and R Spring BT-11, or equivalent, then unhook the cable eye from the anchor pin.

Fig. 1: Place the brake clamp tool over the ends of the wheel cylinder, then remove the shoe-to-anchor springs using the correct tool

1. Remove the shoe guide (anchor pin) plate.
2. Remove the shoe hold-down springs, shoes, adjusting screws, pivot nut, socket and automatic adjustment parts.
3. Remove the parking brake link, spring and retainer. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever.
4. After removing the secondary brake shoe, disassembly the parking brake lever from the shoe by removing the retaining clip and spring washer.

Fig. 2: View of the drum brake components-1983-88 9-inch brake shown Fig. 3: View of the drum brake components-1983-88 10-inch brake shownTo install:

1. The brake cable must be connected to the secondary brake shoe before the shoe is installed on the backing plate. To do this, first transfer the parking brake lever from the old secondary shoe to the new one. This is accomplished by spreading the bottom of the horseshoe clip and disengaging the lever. Position the lever on the new secondary shoe and install the spring washer and the horseshoe clip. Close the bottom of the clip after installing it. Grasp the metal tip of the parking brake cable with a pair of pliers. Position a pair of side cutter pliers on the end of the cable coil spring, and using the plier as a fulcrum, pull the coil spring back with the side cutters. Position the cable in the parking brake lever.
2. Apply a light coating of high temperature grease to the brake shoe contact points on the backing plate. Position the primary brake shoe on the front of the backing plate and install the hold-down spring and washer over the mounting pin. Install the secondary shoe on the rear of the backing plate.
3. Install the parking brake link between the notch in the primary brake shoe and the notch in the parking brake lever.
4. Install the automatic adjuster cable loop end on the anchor pin. Make sure the crimped side of the loop faces the backing plate.
5. Install the return spring in the primary brake shoe and, using the tapered end of the brake spring service tool, slide the top of the spring onto the anchor pin.

CAUTIONBe careful to make sure that the spring does not slip off the tool during installation, as it could cause injury.

1. Install the automatic adjuster cable guide in the secondary brake shoe, making sure the flared hole in the cable guide is inside the hole in the brake shoe. Fit the cable into the groove in the top of the cable guide.
2. Install the secondary shoe return spring through the hole in the cable guide and the brake shoe. Using the brake spring tool, slide the top of the spring onto the anchor pin.
3. Clean the threads on the adjusting screw and apply a light coating of high temperature grease to the threads. Screw the adjuster closed, then open it 1/2 turn.
4. Install the adjusting screw between the brake shoes with the star wheel nearest to the secondary shoe. Make sure the star wheel is in a position that is accessible from the adjusting slot in the backing plate.
5. Install the short hooked end of the automatic adjuster spring in the proper hole in the primary brake shoe.
6. Connect the hooked end of the automatic adjuster cable and the free end of the automatic adjuster spring in the slot in the top of the automatic adjuster lever.
7. Pull the automatic adjuster lever (the lever will pull the cable and spring with it) downward and to the left and engage the pivot hook of the lever in the hole in the secondary brake shoe.
8. Check the entire brake assembly to make sure that everything is installed properly. Make sure that the shoes engage the wheel cylinder properly and are flush on the anchor pin. Make sure that the automatic adjuster cable is flush on the anchor pin and in the slot on the back of the cable guide. Make sure that the adjusting lever rests on the adjusting screw star wheel. Pull upward on the adjusting cable until the adjusting lever is free of the star wheel, then release the cable. The adjusting lever should snap back into place on the adjusting screw star wheel and turn the wheel one tooth.
9. Expand the brake adjusting screw until the brake drum will just fit over the brake shoes.
10. Install the brake drum and wheel and tire assembly, then adjust the brakes.
11. Carefully lower the vehicle.