Amazon: My Amazon Wagon Project...Rear Brakes.

[DaWhole9]

Just started to get into making my 1964 Amazon Wagon drivable. So I got her up on jack stands and pulled the drums and will now replace...well everything. It's never been roadworthy since I have had her for almost 3 years. When stopping there is a very hard pedal, no stopping power and then if I push very hard I can get some locking up and uneven stopping. its a 64 Wagon with drums all around. Here is what the brakes look like now.
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Here is my parts list:
Brake Cylinders
Brake shoes
Brake Drums
Brake hardware
Handbrake cables
Stainless brake lines

The plan is to replace all the rears and then upgrade the fronts to disc brakes. I already have all the parts, the calipers are old and would need to be rebuilt, but I plan to just buy new calipers, pads and replace the brake lines.

[Rustinmotion]

Personally I’d add a servo to that list, people have said it’s not needed and the brakes are fine but I never felt confident with the brakes until I fitted the remote servo

[68jackh]

get the rear wheel bearings whilst it's all apart.

Make sure you get the right ones as there are a couple of options.

[Bigbunt]

Originally Posted by Rustinmotion

Personally I’d add a servo to that list, people have said it’s not needed and the brakes are fine but I never felt confident with the brakes until I fitted the remote servo

I have to agree with this sentiment. My first car had been off the road for eight years when I got it. The brakes were all locked up and I knew nothing about Amazons back then so I did a lot of reading and a lot of people said that you don’t really need the servo; the brakes are fine without it. I eliminated the booster and drive it for about 6 years. The car stopped “okay” and I can’t vouch for the quality of all my work because I was a newbie but it took quite a bit of effort and I can’t say they inspired confidence.
Fast forward past the part where that car was totaled by a falling tree to my second Amazon (also a manual ‘67 2-door) which is a much better car overall, both mechanically and cosmetically. It came with an operating servo and the difference in braking was notable! When that servo started leaking (a lot!) I briefly considered eliminating it also because I prefer a tidy engine compartment and the available replacement could not use the existing bracket. I decided I couldn’t give up the nice modern feeling brakes so I did a lot of planning and fabricated my own bracket and redid all the brake lines under the hood. All I can say is it was the most satisfying job I’ve ever done on a car, with my limited experience!

So I’d opt for a booster, obviously. And for what it’s worth, there’s plenty of room under there to do it nicely.

[Derek UK]

Did pictures of your tree squashed Wagon get published on the net because I remember seeing one. Pine trees all around I seem to remember. I'd just add that a servo with drum front brakes isn't a good combination being that the drums are already self servo. Yes definitely add one with a disc conversion. You may get away with not having to add the anti lock valve at the rear and the change of cylinder size but keep that in mind.

[Bigbunt]

No pics of my poor crushed car on here. It was a red 2 door and a 32” black walnut tree that I would have bet $1000- would have never fallen down!