Lynn, Many thanks for taking the time out to measure those componets. I think I have found an exact match spring for inside the rubber boot.
I guess the brake/steer mechanism will work better with this arrangement installed.
I have just done a complete brake overhaul and one point to note is you will never get your brakes adjusted correctly if your long brake rods are not adjusted to the correct length. Dont take it for granted they are, I recommend firstly disconnecting the front outer pivot pins (as described in the manual). With the brake expanders fully retracted (adjusters also wound in to the required ft/lb) set up that rear pivot distance with the special pre made adjuster tool, then set up the front outer pivots with the other special pre made tool, altering the long brake rods length to achieve this. Then you are set to carry on adjusting as per the manual. Also note the left side rod which travels under the front gunners tool locker may also be the incorrect length (like mine was as when I first got my carrier, some one had chaged it for a much shorter one so correct adjustment was never achievable).
Also worth noting is get yourself a torque wrench so your adjusters can be set correct whilst carrying out brake adjustments, I believe these can be overtightend and you can 'pop the cap' on the adjusters and damage the sliding pins. I noticed on the tank hunter someone had fallen foul of this so had put split pins in all the caps including the expander to retain the caps.
Another note is to keep the expanders 'free floating', I have a limitless suppy of thackery washers if anyone needs some.
Hope this hepls somone out.
kevin.