The spring holds everything in place. Most auto parts stores stock the universal spring, they should not be reused. Did you get a hardware kit? Was it the right one? The adjusters are totally different.

 

I did not replace the hardware when putting on new shoes and drums. Videos I looked at said the new springs were junk and used the original ones. It looks like the main spring holds both shoes in place and pulls them together, the small spring looks to only actuate the self adjuster lever. When I installed it, the spring did not do the best job of holding the adjustment lever in place unless they shoes were quite a bit apart. with the shoes that far apart, the new drum wouldn't go back on.When I get the new (delco brand) hardware kit, I will make sure the spring is snug even with the shoes adjusted properly.

Too used to the old school cable and spring brakes with the adjustment on the bottom of the mounting plate. Learn something new every day.

 

Actually the Universal spring is the "old school", if you are in Europe. I guess one guy got one bad spring and declared All bad. He probably doesn't know how to use the tool made for the job.
Think about what happens to spring steel when it gets hot.

 

New spring (AC/Delco part) fits just as poorly as the old one. I ended up 'adjusting' the spring to put a bit of tension on the adjuster lever so it wouldn't fall off. I still say it is not the best design, but it is back together the way it was designed. I'll just have to keep an eye on it. (and an ear for abnormal noise)

The adjuster that came with the kit looks identical to what was on the car.

 

Did you put it in the correct holes?
Note the position of the shock and p-brake cable for placement.

 

Yup, that is the problem! I put the spring (first picture ) in the spot it came out of, and both sides matched. I did one side at a time so I would have a diagram. It appears someone put the spring in the round hole closer to the wheel cylinder, thus making the spring appear longer. Not a problem once the shoe linings get worn down.
I will have to take both sides apart again and correct the spring placement. I thank you for the information!!

 

Nice it’s fixed correctly, enjoy the ride!

 

The darker spring was the one on the vehicle. notice the different ends that attach into the shoe. and the different spring length, and different diameter of the coil... I think someone put the wrong stuff on the vehicle (???) every thing else seems to match up OK.

 

OK.. last set arrived and were installed this morning! (Finally) I have noticed a slight shimmy occasionally when stopping but I believe it is the crappy roads I drive on. he spring on the pass side, I took it apart and it had disconnected, so I bent the end and it developed a crack in the spring. I decided to wait for the replacement springs before driving it. It took longer to jack it up and remove the tire than it took to replace the spring. Hopefully all is well with the brakes!!