Re: Ambassador brakes revisisted

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Don't forget that backing plates are different. Check with AMC vendors and general old car vendors like Kanter (www.kanter.com) for brakes drums. 30 years seems to be the limit for the general parts stores, if they have something that goes beyond that it's usually because it just happens to still be used on a later vehicle. To much brake on the rear will cause premature rear wheel lock-up! With the 2.5" brakes you may need to install a proportioning valve to prevent this. Check the diameter of the drum and the offset. It's very possible that a later Ford or Chrysler drum (same bolt pattern) will fit -- or even a Jeep. Most of the time the manufacturers list one drum for multiple applications, but they stopped checking for Rambler applications a long time ago! Offset could be different, but most drums have very little offset -- they are almost flat on the hub surface. Of course this might be a good time to consider rear discs if you're converting to front discs anyway. Jeep 4!
 x4 front rotors pop right on, though you'll need to weld on a bracket for GM rear calipers w/park brake, or Subaru front calipers (park brake is in front on Subarus). 

A lot of the newer, longer lasting pads have the opposite affect on rotors. The rotors almost have to wear faster if the pads wear less. Just get good semi-metallic or ceramic pads. Ceramic particles replace metallic particles in ceramic pads. Should stand heat better and wear rotors a bit less than semi-metallic pads, but that's just my opinion. 

On September 14, 2005 mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I did a little more looking at the brake drums off of the Drum brake car the other day.
> It seems that it may be possible to put the front Ambassador drums onto the rear and change to the 2 1/2" brake shoes! The stock rear shoes are 1 3/4". I think that the most that may be required is to possible add a shim behind the backing plate to move it out 1/8" or so.
>   I haven't had time to pursue this farther and all my comparisons so far have been based on looking at the drums alone. This may be good information to get out there, if it actually works. As far as I can tell none of the main line parts places carry rear drums for these cars any longer.
>   While we are doing the brake thing. My S-10 has 45,000 miles on it and the rotors have all been turned once at 35,000. They began to warp again at 41,000 and it has progressed to the point of thumping the brake pedal at 20 mph. I figure it is time for new rotors. Since I tow a boat over hilly terrain I'm considering going to drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads,Trusk has four wheel discs, but is this a good investment???? What brand of pads would anyone recomend? I'm confused by all the hype!
> Mark Price
> mprice@xxxxxxxxxx
> Morgantown, WV
> 69 AMC rambler, 4.0L, EFI, 5 speed
> 65 Ambassador Conv, 327 AUTO, Basketcase
> 65 Ambassador 990H flood victim parts car!
> 01 S-10 CREWCRAP 4X4


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