New brakes all round on 04 Brembo equiped X350R.

[J44EAG]

Other posts on this Brake Section also refer to my work on my 350R Brembo equipped car. Sources of supplier and good prices obtained are discussed here. viewtopic.php?f=285&t=11027

Also see these threads. viewtopic.php?f=285&t=11230
viewtopic.php?f=285&t=10160

This thread covers replacement of all four discs and also re-padding the four foot brake calipers and the two EPB calipers. Note that this description is for the earliest models which have the silver four piston calipers with the green oblong "Jaguar R" stickers. The 05> cars ...pre-facelift with oval front indicator on the front wing and no lower level door protection strips and the big bumper facelift 358 models are differently braked ( believed to be Teves manufactured) but overhaul techniques may be similar.

Distinguishing features. 4xBrembo silver calipers, four piston "double acting" operation, 365mm vented front discs and 330mm plain rear discs. Separate none painted, 2x Brembo EPB calipers,each with a single piston, "single acting, push me, pull you" operation. Front and rear foot brakes are hydraulically operated with the EPB park brake calipers being activated by an electric motor drive motor, cables and lever arms on each caliper activated by the park switch in the centre console.

Front and rear foot brake calipers are easy to deal with when fitting new pads. Just tap out the retaining pins with a 1/8" punch and hammer. Remove the anti-squeal springs, remove the old pads, clean up the calipers, remove the brake reservoir cap and push the pistons back into the calipers with just finger pressure. Copper grease new pad backings and also the running edges. Refit the pins and shims. Pump the foot brake to restore normal pad running clearances. Replace the reservoir cap.

Replacing front discs. As above but includes removal of calipers from the front vertical hub carrier leg.

Use of a dial test indicator is recommended when new discs are fitted. Hub mounting surfaces must be clear of corrosion and other products that would cause a disc to run out of true if basic cleanliness is not carried out.

Replacing rear discs. As for front brakes but EPB caliper and pads must also be removed. Advice on the EPB caliper is given in one of the links at the start of this thread. This service action and dealing with EPB pad replacement also requires a recalibration reset process if new EPB pads and or new discs are fitted. Please study and understand what is required in the Topix link above before attempting EPB pad reline and or disc replacement. This job should only be carried out by an experienced person.

The need for new discs may be caused by worn discs, warped discs, out of balance discs or indeed vibration which can often be attributed to time expired front wheel bearing cartridges.

Removal of worn bearing cartridges will require the use of a bench press. Serious corrosion between the interface of the steel bearing cartridge and the aluminium hub carrier leg "welds" the two components together and a press is the only way of safely and successfully breaking the two components apart. Around SIX TONS of bench press pressure may be needed to force the two components to separate. Forget attempting to remove cartridges without access to a press. Put the job out to the trade if you don`t have a press facility.

Typical signs that brakes need overhaul or complete component replacement are vibration when braking and also a hard un-comunicative feel and unpleasant general reaction to braking inputs.

New discs and pads greatly improve braking quality as well as imparting a greater sense of brake pedal feel. This can be very re-assuring.

My XJR now has brand new OE Mintex discs and pads fitted all round. It is a much more pleasant car to drive following the brake rebuild. I`ll also add that an annual pad removal, clean and refit session is part of my service regime. Clean and free, good condition brakes maintain braking efficiency at almost new levels. Just a couple of hours a year to keep things at their best is time well spent in my opinion.

That`s another job off the list and all achieved by careful buying of OE Mintex components at the lowest possible ebay prices. Disc and foot brake pad sets were obtained for under £170. The same parts in a Jaguar packaging were found to be £380. Shop carefully and you can cut costs in half.

Mike

[J44EAG]

Another hack up to the M25 from Portsmouth this morning with a fair mileage likely to be covered over the next week.

Greatly enjoyed the enhanced feel of the newly fitted brakes but throughout the trip I felt irritated. I didn`t know why so I thought about what could be causing me so much anguish. Then I realised my two carpal tunnel affected wrists were aching badly. Each time I hit 70mph the pain increased. At 75mph, the pain disappeared. Every time I hit 70, the pain came back! I noted that there was a very small vibration coming up the steering column...not much at all but obviously enough to badly irritate my severely damaged nervous system.

I`d been driving for only 45 minutes before I began to descend Reigate Hill at the bottom of the M25. I`d seriously had enough. Misery me. Ten minutes later I landed on the forecourt of a Caterham based tyre depot and had the front rims and tyres spun up and balanced on the spot. Sure enough balance was poor. I`d only had these rims and tyres balanced around six months ago at my local type depot in Fareham. Ten pounds and ten minutes later, I was on my way again. Top job. Much nicer to drive at low speeds and even better when rocketing along. Best of all, no aching wrists! Vibration RSI injuries were what lead me to have carpal surgery on both wrists within three months of each other. Even so, the vibration issue has caused irreparable damage. It is quite a shock to have suddenly confronted the issue again whilst driving my favourite toy. It all catches up with you eventually....

So more TLC applied to the XJR which shows how important wheel balance is when you get to the larger rim sizes....or get stuffed wrists and hands.

Mike

[J44EAG]

So a trip to Caterbury from Caterham last Saturday afternoon for my youngest daughters wedding. With the front wheels balanced the previous day, the car improved hugely and the misery of that small front wheel out of balance condition completely gone. No issues coming back through my nerve damaged hands so I was well pleased. So pleased in fact that on the Monday, I returned to Tyremark and had the rear wheels balanced. One wheel was satisfactory but the other was well out of limits. That sorted, yet again the car improved and a trip to Reading return confirmed that all was indeed extremely good.

It just goes to show how vital good wheel balance is. Perhaps more so with the large 20" rims and 35% LP tyres fitted. So now no shakes of any kind and a completely brand new feel being imparted. My trip back down the A3 to Portsmouth again yesterday was sheer joy. The best £20 I`ve ever spent on this car. You only notice how bad things have become when the issue has been completely erradicated.

Mike