1985 3.6 XJS Brake problem

xjsaint · Postby **xjsaint** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:34 pm

Hi all,
yesterday after about 300Km on the motorway and small towns, when I was exiting from the motorway, the brake pedal went down almost hitting the floor...
What a sensation, at the end actually it was breaking the car but not a good experience...If I pushed seversal times on the pedal nothing was improving, when I arived home then, I checked for some liquid pads but everything was OK, there was plently of fluid in the reservoir...

I switched off the engine, pumped a little bit and reswitched the engine, it seemed ok, now...strange enough.

I smelled a ver bad brake pad smell on the rear passenger side, but the car was not stuk at all ever. Now it seems to brake fine but should I trust it?

I thought it maybe one pad got stuk on that's why the pedal was going full down and the smell of brake but any better conclusion?

Thank you,
Valter Rome, Italy.

brycabriolet · Postby **brycabriolet** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 2:50 pm

Hi valter sounds like you had bad experience there think i would at least get the brake fluid changed how long is it since it was changed i wouldent be suprised if this was your problem i have herd if it gets too hot and boils it can cause all sorts to happen just a thought may be some one else as had a simular thing let us know

xjsaint · Postby **xjsaint** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:07 pm

Hi there,
thanks for reply; I actually made a horrible discovery...some one had replaced the plastic ball that floats into the brake oil reservoir for the level alarm with a cork one, probably from a champagne bottle...
Unbelievable!

The wood got worn with time I beleave and I found some small pieces of it in the bottom of the reservoir.

I'll have to replace all the oil, as it has never been done by me, but especially as it is contaminated by...wood.

I'll come back with news as soon as they become avaliable,
Thanks for the encouragement you gave me, it is welcome.
Ciao, I'll probably do the job this saturday.
Valter

xjsaint · Postby **xjsaint** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 9:51 pm

HI all,
finally the restoration of the rear brake calipers has ended. The new pistons and seals are now installed and today I performed the first serious test on the road....all ok++
The maintenance has given me the opportunity to learn a lot on this subject and it would be a good opportunity for sharing my experience on the JEC monthly magazine I think (I leave this to the authors).
I documented all the process starting from the dismantling of the two calipers, ending to the calipers, cleaned painted and re-installed with many pictures.
A few of these just to show you something about my long summer work.

http://www.jec-xjs-forum.org.uk/xjsbb2/ ... 4-5_tn.jpg

http://www.jec-xjs-forum.org.uk/xjsbb2/ ... 4-3_tn.jpg

http://www.jec-xjs-forum.org.uk/xjsbb2/ ... 4-4_tn.jpg

http://www.jec-xjs-forum.org.uk/xjsbb2/ ... 4-2_tn.jpg

http://www.jec-xjs-forum.org.uk/xjsbb2/ ... 4-6_tn.jpg

I also took the opportunity ro grease all the joints and repaint a 20 years differential.

The overhaul process has been quite long due to time avaliability and desire to make a good job. I'd like to share this experience with others that would like to make this maintenance job to their cars but are scared of doing it like I was. There are many tips to keep in mind, expecially for the safety of the operator that must be of primary importance.

Thanks for looking.

Valter Rome

ptjs1 · Postby **ptjs1** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:49 am

Valter,

Good to hear that you've managed to finish the job successfully.

I'm always keen to get some articles for the magazine. So if you can write up an article for me, say 200 words plus some of your detailed photos and email them to me, then I will see when I can try and incorporate it in the XJS Forum pages of the magazine.

Tks

Paul

xjsaint · Postby **xjsaint** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:03 pm

Hi there,
I prepared an article about about the work I performed this summer, if you can give an email to where to send it I cand send it to your attention.

Thanks,

Valter

brycabriolet · Postby **brycabriolet** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:24 pm

Hi Valter glad you got your brake problem sorted you need to send
your artical to paul at

p.sinnott@btopenworld.com

i look forward to reading your story

regards Bryan Thomas xj-sc 3.6 841 BRY

poprivet · Postby **poprivet** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:19 pm

Valter, I'm pleased you successfully repaired your brakes, but your last picture showing the car held up on concrete blocks and bits of wood might not be agreeable with the editor.

xjsaint · Postby **xjsaint** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:30 pm

Yes, you're right.

I may remove the picture...actually that was an extra safety, there are also proper stands holding the car in the proper holding positions.

I'll remove it from the thread.

Rgds

richardtoulouse · Postby **richardtoulouse** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 4:40 pm

Hi,
this topic is an old one, however, I am a new JEC member and the rear brakes of my XJS are stucked.
I need to remove the calliper (not sure it is the right name....) that is not attached to the wheels.
I would be very interested by the paper you published on this subject.

I am very familiar with this operation on my Alfa (same architecture) but I am afraid by the XJS. The gap between the ground and the body is very small.....

Last question:
Did you replace the usual DOT 4(or 5) oil break fuel by a silicon liquid?
Thanks for your help