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I recently acquired a M38a1 Dyna 25 front axel. I removed the axel from the M38A1 myself. While inspecting the axel, I observed that the brake assembly and backing plate was identical to my M38, which I know are original. My M38 brakes are the same as appers in TM9-8012/TO 36A5-2-41. I thought the M38A1 had a different brake, using retaining springs to hold the shoes in. Did early M38A1 jeeps also use M38 brakes on the axels?

All the m38a1's had floating brake shoes. You were either sold a M38 front axle or a M38A1 front axle that had the M38 back plates and remaining system added to them.

The switch is done often both ways since the rest of the axle will work in either jeep.