Brake discs made of toffee!!

[ianoliver57]

A similar question to Ray's. My 3.0L XF (petrol and a 60 plate) has only completed 26,500 miles. It appears following MOT that I have 'advisories' on specifically both rear discs and suggestions that the front may also need replacement. Now pads I can understand, but, discs, at this mileage? Is it not reasonable to assume you should get more out of a set of discs than a set of pads? Is it actually legal to make them out of toffee??
The last time I had this problem was on a Clio, but I thought the quality of the Jaguar parts would be considerably better. Anyone else suffered this amount of wear?

Regards

Ian.

[J44EAG]

Pretty normal nowadays with asbestos free brake pads now being used.

I used to be able to get 60k miles front discs using asbestos pads. In that 60k, I would have changed pads twice if not three times.

Now the ratio is almost one disc set for every pad set.

Take a look at my comments re this matter in one of my recent post on the S-type forum. This thread touches on maintenance of my car this year which includes brake overhaul.

http://www.jec.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=200&t=8040

S-type , X350 and XF all use the DEW 98 floor pan and suspension so much of what you will read is relevant to those three models.

The later S-type and XF has larger diameter brake discs to combat premature disc wear often experienced on early S-types which could be very heavy. Those cars were somewhat "under braked", hence Jaguar increasing front brake diameter by 26mm to improve braking efficiency and disc life.

Braking technique and driving style habits also have an impact of disc and pad life. Personally I try hard not to use my brakes any more often than I really must, especially around town. Foot brake bashing costs in disc and pad life. I resent spending on brakes and make every effort not to waste money on pads and discs. I do most of my own maintenance which helps keep costs down and buying from ebay helps further.

Always buy OE spec discs and pads which one knows are of good quality and are as good as is available. Typically Mintex (original equipment) are easily sourced from internet suppliers and there are some good deals to be had.

My recent costs for replacement brake equipment as follows. Figure includes post and packing.

Front disc set....£50
Front pads...£25
Rear pads.... £18

Mike

[ianoliver57]

Thanks for the info, Mike. The prices you noted for discs and pads are imressive compared to the charges from Jaguar parts. I only bought the car last October and so is still under warranty from the main dealer. I may have to go with them this time to protect the warranty.
Like you, I try to use the brakes as little as often, but obviously I have no idea how the previous owner drove. The car was changed at three years old with 22,900 on the clock so I was not anticipating any poblems like this with so low a mileage.
Ho hum, the joys of car ownership!

Regards

Ian.

[Brakebuster]

you don't have to go with a main dealer to protect a warrantee ,

as long as you buy OEM items and fit them keep the receipt and add the info to your service book, they HAVE to honour the warrantee ,

this was brought in twenty years ago , and includes all cars sold un the UK , not just jags

BB

ps, just changed my discs and pads on the rear of my X-Type today using Delphi components ( OEM ) all for £47

[ianoliver57]

Good news, thanks. I was not aware of that. Off to Ebay to see what I can find. Still annoyed that the discs need replacing in the first place with so little mileage on the clock.

Regards

Ian

[Brakebuster]

as above,

the good old days of hard as nails disc have long gone, due to the fact the braking material is a lot softer ( because of asbestos rules etc ) and with original discs they wouldn't last at all ,

so the discs and pads are a lot softer, but are also a lot cheaper, and lets face it , a pop to fit

just work safe when jacking up a car

and with new discs and pads you can accurately monitor their wear....

BB

a small point to think about, the rear calliper piston may need ' winding back ' to allow for the new pads, a cheap kit on bay for about £15 will have all the bits you need

and you can do all your friends brakes once you have the kit..........

[ianoliver57]

Thanks for the help. Last time I did discs and pads was on a V70 Volvo, so should be much the same.
Re doing others, don't think they could afford my hourly rate!!

Regards

Ian.

[raysearles]

I am on 47k after 6 years and still on the original discs - it may be a batch problem rather than effecting all XFs - even in my day (20 years ago) the automotives had turned over the job of checking qulaity to their suppliers reasoning it was cheaper to pay warranty when a customer complained (and then recover it back from their supplier) than employ an army of goods in testers. So I suspect the situation will not have got any better in modern day Jaguar terms..

Ray

[ianoliver57]

Think I've solved the problem anyway. Went to main dealers on Monday and traded the four year old 3L XF for a five month old XF R Sport with 2500 on the clock. As I said, problem solved.

Happy days!

Ian.