Very late to this party I know... Just bought front brake shoes from ECAS which turn out to have the spring posts on the outside of the shoes, so did a search for info here...
Reading this post there seemed to be no firm conclusion back then, has use of these been a problem over time?
Fitting was easier than the inside spring ones...

mike

We changed supplier and have no further problems. All shoes has the return spring fitted on the inside.

Hi Viking did you actualy use any of the outside spring ones?
mike

If you mean brake test then no. I rejected the shoes since having trouble with centering and trying 0 eccentrics too. From memory, I cut the stubs off, turned them and welded them back on on the inside.

On the other hand, I fitted this type of shoe to a very nice 1975 car a few years back.

It had been owned by the same person since 1976 and he was fed up with his local garage down south failing to sort out the brakes, so sent it up to me to have a new chassis fitted, as well as a complete rebuild of the brakes.

On completion of the work, although it was not due for an MOT, I took it into the test station and they carried out a brake test free, which showed almost perfect brake balance, with less than 5 kg difference between the wheels on each axle.

The change in spring location makes it a damn sight easier to install the shoes as well...

IMG_2520 by slcchassis, on Flickr

IMG_2617 by slcchassis, on Flickr

IMG_2616 Brake return springs mounted externally by slcchassis, on Flickr

I'm sure The Sheds new shoes had the spring on the outside and must admit didn't seem to have a problem once they were fitted....

Thanks Chaps that's reasuring since I've just fitted them to Gerty! In my igerance I think they are a heap friendlier than the inside ones which will encourage me to look @ them more often
mike