Rear Brake Conversion

This conversion is for any Rambler that has the dreaded  Bendix Non-Servo Rear Brakes. These is one of the hardest brakes to rebuild parts are impossible to fine . Shoes can be replace if you can find a place that will reline you old shoes. In the pictures you will see there is no star wheel, this system uses a two piece gear to adjust the shoes. The springs are very hard to install and if you have the hub on forget it. When I worked in the Dealership everybody that had to work on this system lost money. The Donor car needs to be any AMC from 1967 up V8 or 6 Cylinder with ten inch brakes.

Safety First

Things you will need For Tear Down

1. Floor Jack

2. Jack Stands

3. Drain Pan

4. Backing Plates from Donor Car

5. Breaker Bar 1/2 drive  1 and 1/4 inch socket

6. 1/2, 9/16 socket 3/8 drive ratchet and extension.

7. 3/8 line wrench  1/2 , 9/16  box wrench.

8. Wheel Hub Puller

9. Sledge Hammer

Things to Buy

1. Brake Clean

2. One Quart Brake Fluid

3. Shoes all part number are from AutoZone  shoe #267

4. Wheel cylinders 33600 and 33601

5. All in one Spring Hardware Kit H7064

6. Rear wheel seals 8549S

Time to Get Started

1. Put car in park or low gear if stander transmission.

2. Remove Hubcap

3. Remove cotter pin

4. With the car still on the ground remove the 1 1/4 nut  , you'll need that breaker bar probably have to stand on it or get a piece of pipe and use as a lever.

5. Brake loose lug nuts.

6. Jack up one side of the car install jack stand let car down on the jack stand.

7. Remove lugs nuts and tire.

8. Remove the three  3/8 bolts from the drum then remove the drum , you might have to back off the adjuster.

9. Install the puller. Make sure the puller has a Center Point. This will kept the puller inline with the shaft and wont damage the threads.

10. Tighten the tool down using the breaker bar and pipe. Use a sledge hammer hit end of tool , this operation might take tries . tighten again more pressure and hit the end of the tool. It will brake loose.

The Hard Part Is Done

11. Remove brake springs and shoes.

12. Remove the Emergency brake Cable

13. Remove the brake line . might need a torch to heated line use  a 3/8 line wrench.  Don't forget your drain pan!

14. Remove the four nuts and washer from the Dust Cover

15. Remove Dust Cover inspect grease seal you'll see in the picture mine was leaking part number for the seals 8549S.

16. Remove backing plate clean Axle flange.

Now back Together

1. Reinstall  Donor Backing plate grease  seal dust cover four washer and nuts. Tighten to factory sections.

2. Install new wheel cylinder and brake line.

3. Install Emergency brake cable.

4. Install shoes, spring ,self adjuster, star wheel,  Refer to the pictures for assembly.

5. Install the Hub MAKE SURE TO INSTALL KEY WAY!!!!

6. Install the drum and the three bolts

7.Install the axle nut, but do not torque the nut yet.

8. Install the wheel and lug nuts

9. Remove the Jack Stand.

10. Torque the Axle nut to specifications .

11. Install the cotter pin.

12. REMEMBER THE AXLE NUT MUST BE TIGHTEN TO SPECIFICATIONS  or you will spin the hub out. Your car wont move if this happens.

13. Refill master cylinder

14. Due other side of the car

15. Bleed brakes check for leaks..

16. Put ever thing away .

17. Save old parts someone else might want just to fix there old system and you'll have the parts.

Disclaimer: This site is not intended to instruct or teach anyone in proper or safe methods of working on or maintaining a car and the author takes no responsibility for the use of the information contained herein.