Bendix vs Wagner backing plates: rear 10x1.75"

That's a really nice effort to help that man 304dude-

When I read 'Wagner' ...I thought 'oh no'... because my '69 Rebel has Wagner and I'm having trouble finding the correct parts; NOT like Bendix!

So I looked this up in my '71 AMC TSM and the book does not show any model was made with Wagner drums -double checked not to make a fool out of myself... it only shows Bendix drums in the '71 AM TSM.

(were those brakes swapped on there by someone else?)

Anyway, not that the Wagner brakes are bad, but because the Bendix parts are so much more available I'd say if you have a choice and your car is a '71, install the Bendix parts!

(I think if you flip over the backing plates to show the 'working side' the upper anchor between the shoes should look different...? -that would require the 'different' Wagner shoe...)

IF you have the Wagner shoes & want them relined, there are also specialized brake re-liners listed in Hemming Motor News paperback books found in bookstore magazine racks in the 'services offered' section...

Also call or check Galvin's AMC Rambler Parts -he's got used parts not listed on his webpages (they purchased an all AMC junkyard back in '79?)

*You might benefit from buying a Chilton's Repair Manual (for example my '67-'74 Rebel/Matador book shows 'how to' on Wagner and Bendix... which might be helpful for a Javelin owner as well...)


Edited by amcenthusiast - Oct/06/2017 at 6:36pm

The more I look deeper into this the more I think the Bendix & Wagner plates are actually both the same.

304-dude wrote: I really did not know that 71 was an odd year for rear brakes, until this thread. I would have done a better job of checking details as I progressed on disassembly. Though the twin grip unit date code was made in late 70 on its stamp, so that may show for an original condition rear. With older cars, I would look into relining, as it is a cost effective way to have better brakes without changing much to upgrade.