Parking Brake Abnormality?

I just finished changing all the seals and gaskets in my Dana 18 xfer case, and I am at the point where I can reinstall the parking brake. I have had to replace the shoes as the 37 year old originals were shot.

Probem is, when all is reassembled and I apply the brake lever, the shoes slide side ways in oppossing directions and do not fully return to the original position when I release the brake lever.

Is this a normal movement and should the shoes re-center themselves when the brake is released? No manual I have really spends much ink on the parking brake.:?

 

Was there a return spring between the shoes? IIRC, there was a certain way it had to go under that clip on the backing plate. Or maybe my memory is failing me, I dunno.....

Pics?

 

Does the lever itself return fully?

 

Well - I actually have all the parts in the blow up and they are in the right place. I took Thad's advice when I broke it down and took a photo. Reassembled the same way it was when I took it apart.

The lever will return to its original position but manually.

 

Then that will solve it. Once you have it in the Jeep with the return spring on the lever, you'll be good.