VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 37 & 38 parking brake levers

Are they the same? Is the release mechanism the same? Thanks.

I'll say no, but they may be interchangable.



Brian

The 1938 parking brake lever was completely different from 1937 - or any other year for that matter. The sector and pawl (under floor) fit 1938 only. The 193 (and other years) used the squeeze type release that was hinged at the bottom of the release. The 1938 release lever is hinged on top, the rod running down the handle is inside of the handle, a much cleaner looking assembly. 1939 was an under dash type lever.

OK, thanks guys. I was asking because the arthritis in my hands makes it hard to squeeze the release. When an extension handle for a 38 comes up on ebay they sell for far more than I can afford. There's one for a 37 listed now & I thought that IF it looked like it might sell for a price I can afford AND it would work on my 38 I'd bid on it. I guess not.

I would like to find a replacement spring for a handbrake. It's called a Pawl spring. The part number listed in the Chevrolet Master Parts Price List for 1929-41 is 350346. It is part of the Handbrake Lever Assembly (4.591). I have found no picture of it in the Chevy literature? The Filing Station has one for sale for 1929-66 passenger/truck usage but it doesn't look like my broken one. Has anyone bent this type to make it fit? Hate to walk away from a perfectly good handbrake because of a broken spring?
Thanks, Mike

The spring that the Filling Station sells is the correct spring for your application.

Got my new Handbrake Pawl Spring from the Filling Station today and it is not compatible to the 41 handbrake. I still would like to find a replacement. The top one is what I am looking for. Thanks, Mike

Mike you might have to go to the local hardware store and buy a pull spring the correct diameter & gauge wire then cut & bend it to fit your application. I've had to do that before on different applications. It can be done. Our local Ace Hardware has an excellent stock of springs.

Mike...Being you have the new (wrong) spring in hand..can't you cut it down and make it work???...GOOD LUCK..ED

Thanks for the suggestions, I think the Ace Hardware one will be my next step. The inner diameter of the replacement pawl spring is too small so that won't work. I like a challenge so I'll let you know how things worked out. Thanks, Mike

Mike,
What is the diameter of the wire on the original? A short piece of music wire of the right diameter can be bent to duplicate the spring.

Made up two springs and both worked just fine. Took about 3 hours, but who cares? It's great being retired. Thanks for all the help, Mike



P.S. Tomorrow I will install a new Oakie bushing on the drive shaft, already got the old bushing out. Have a bad back so needed a good standing job today and the pawl spring was a perfect job.

Looks really good Mike. Maybe you should go into the spring making business.