128 Sedan rear drum brake spring

[Dalbello]

Looking for suggestions:

I am trying to put the bottom spring on the rear drum brakes for the 128 sedan.
Holy smokes this spring is tight, I can barely more the spring to get it to hook on to the brake shoes. I have bought a cheap spring tool and it snapped in half at the joint.

Any suggestions?

thanks
Rino

 

[carl]

Been a very long time since I played with 128 rear drum brakes. Can you hook the spring to the brake shoes before assembling the shoes, install on shoe and then pull against the spring with the other show to pop it into place?