Community Forums:

I was having a terrible time getting the springs back on the brake shoes until I found the following post from "lucid":

The "lower" (actuator) SHOE ends get the longer spring, which hooks into the oblong holes. The shoes are then spread apart at the "upper" end (against lower spring tension) and fitted in place behind the leaf springs, with the lower shoe ends fitted to the actuator.
Then the upper SHOE ends are spread apart again to put the "spreader bar" (or adjuster) in place.
Finally, the hard part — hooking the shorter spring into the circular holes. This is where I've had the most luck using an old pair of brake pliers, even though the pointed end puts a gouge in the virgin lining.
Usually I lose the spring a time or two, but once it's perched precariously on the edge of the (upper) hole I carefully remove the pliers and use a screwdriver to pop the spring end the rest of the way into the hole.

This procedure worked perfectly. Thanks for the info, Bruce.

Marlin