XJR - Brake disc options - considering EBC

[robgx300xjr]

Hi All,

The cover is off P500 and going like a train.... this years project (prior to Prescott ) is to replace the front discs and pads.

I have looked at Jag originals and aftermarket OE kits - for example this one at under 70 GBP - https://www.britishparts.co.uk/products ... -kit-BK905

Then with the internet, when will I learn started to look at EBC upgrades;

https://ebcbrakesdirect.com/automotive/ ... 1997/5968#

Anyone got any thoughts recommendations/ thoughts/ debate on what discs/pads to go for......

Cheers

[PeterDavisX300]

Mintex. I've tried various different types on all sorts of bigger cars, and Mintex seem to last the best for the longest time. This includes OEM. I found out recently that Delphi now uses the 'Locheed' name amongst it's stuff, I'm not sure about it's strength.

[oldtimer]

Rob,
I don't want to teach you how to suck eggs but which ever discs you choose to buy please ensure you carry out a disc run out check.

Failure to do this could result in brake judder after two or three months, often folks then try to blame the supplier for poor product.

There is plenty on here about brake fitment but do come back if you need more.

Oldtimer

[robgx300xjr]

Thanks for the advice and comments - never worry about 'teaching to suck eggs' - I am most definitely in the novice phase

[oldtimer]

Rob,
The requirements for fitting discs remain the same for all models - in fact all cars- might I suggest you go to the S type section (Ref brakes) and read the thread entitled :- Front tyres, Discs, Pads and things. You may find this interesting.

Come back if you need further help

Oldtimer

PS I always use Original Equipment (OE) from a Jaguar franchised Dealer.

[ptjs1]

Rob,

Just a suggestion - make sure that you know the source of any parts that you are buying. there are 4 basic options:

"Genuine Jaguar" - sold in Jaguar packaging. Available from Jaguar Dealers, Jaguar Classic Parts (who supply the Jaguar dealers) & Prime Independent suppliers such as Manners, Barratts etc (who also get it from Jaguar Classic Parts). In my opinion, if you're going to buy genuine Jaguar parts, don't buy from Manners or Barratts as you'll get it cheaper from your Jaguar dealer with some discount.

"OEM" - This should be identical to the genuine Jaguar-packaged part. It's a part sourced from the manufacturers that supply the same part to Jaguar. Available from independents (not Jaguar Dealers) and usually much cheaper than Jaguar-packaged equivalents. If you're going to buy OEM, make absolutely sure that you know it's OEM (suggestion - buy it from Manners). The internet is rife with people claiming OEM parts when in fact the are pattern parts.

"Direct Replacement" or "Pattern" - These are replacement parts that are designed to be a direct replacement. However, they are not necessarily built to the same spec or tolerances as the Jaguar or OEM parts. The cheapest option usually, you buy at your own risk. (That first link that you provided was for a "Direct Replacement, not an OEM part).

"Specialist Branded Aftermarket" - Quality manufacturer parts often providing improved performance to the original parts. Example of brakes might be EBC, Brembo etc. Often more expensive than Jaguar parts.

I hope that helps. You pays your money and........

Cheers

Paul

[robgx300xjr]

Still undecided, and thanks again for the feedback.

The Northampton Jag Dealer will do 10% discount for JEC members so may look at originals from them. But still tempted by the EBC kits.

As you say the internet is flooded with stuff, this link is a great example.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mintex-Front- ... 1817689443

Buried in the detail "these may ship directly, and arrive in plain or clear plastic packaging with no brand details"

I'll keep you all posted, but I am erring on the EBC ones at the moment.

Thanks again.

[robgx300xjr]

Quick Update

After a long chat with EBC on the phone - very helpful technical department.

I have dived in at the deep end - On their advice I have not gone for the grooved or grooved and dimpled discs. Simply because they advised the noise under breaking is very noticeable with this type of disc. And after explaining my usage requirements they believed the extra cooling not of massive benefit.

They did recommend the yellow pads over the new red ceramic pads - as it's a low mileage per annum, with short bursts of heavy braking.

I'll keep you all posted - they should be fitted and run-in for Precott

[robgx300xjr]

EBC Discs, callipers, front brake hoses and pads on - need to run-in. See how they go up Prescott (see you all there that are attending). Cheers

[robv12]

see you there, K44 is putting in an appearance

[naki]

For “normal road use” can anyone justify upgraded brakes? I have not experienced any brake fade ever, in any of my Jaguars. I imagine it’s not a pleasant experience, but I also imagine it’s more relevant to track use, than any road use?
I have used normal OEM pads and discs, without issues really. Only replacing as necessary from age and wear.

[J44EAG]

I agree with Naki.

Although I don`t run X300/308, my X350R has never run out of brakes and there has always been plenty of stopping power on OE Mintex discs and pads maintained in decent service order for normal road use and the occasional full thrash. My two articles in the January and February 2018 on rebuilding X350 brakes may be helpful. I`ll add that my brakes are stripped, cleaned, examined and replaced as required on an annual basis. This work helps avoid pads sticking in the calipers due to inevitable corrosion and a close eye to be kept on component wear and overall condition.

I too have spoken to the EBC technical guys in Ireland. They were very helpful. Yellow Stuff pads were recommended if I`d gone the EBC route. Costs of fitting this top brand make were appreciably higher than just sticking to OE Mintex. In the end, I couldn`t justify the extra costs.

I fitted drilled and grooved discs to my modified S-type at one point. The grooves produced a pronounced slowing turbine like noise when slowing from speed. The drillings helped relieve pad gassing but would quickly block with brake dust. Poking out the dust with a coat hanger became a tedious once a month job. Disc and pad wear rates were disappointing to say the least and I suspect this was probably because the discs were not supplied as OE quality. Those discs lasted just 12k miles before cross sectional thinning reduced them to below limits dimensions.

Would I fit drilled, grooved or dimpled discs again? I don`t think so. It was just too much maintenance hassle and un-necessary extra cost.

Mike K

[RichardSEL]

Thanks for the heads up on dimpled or drilled discs. I won't go there then. Although EBC Red Stuff was a recommendation by the V-Dub boyz but they squeal for the first 1,000 miles or so... Apparently the heat dissipation's much better than OEM / Mintex

As I "enjoy" my XJ8 Sport once a month or so, I've got to do something about the slight vibration I get braking at
speed. Otherwise I'm always going to be out-braked by Audis (why is it always Audi drivers who've just got to prove their virility on the outside lane? )

Your articles were a most useful read. But I'm still in ignorance whether the X350 units you describe working on are the same as an XJ8 Sport's. And the procedures the same? If so, what's the minimum disk thickness acceptable?
There's a very slight ridge on my fronts but not as bad as I've had on other disk brake setups that didn't cause brake
vibration when applied at speed (Citroen CX, Rover P5 and P6)

[J44EAG]

Many of the disc listings Richard, will give the nominal cross section in mm for a new disc. You will have to check wear limits for your own car but generally no more than 2mm wear per disc face is acceptable.

Red Stuff is highly regarded as a performance uprate pad material with a reputation for lasting around twice as long as OE material....but pad sets are considerably more expensive than OE. Mintex OE is easily sourced and really not that expensive for what you get. As I`m more than happy with Mintex for everyday use, that`s what I`ve stayed with. It is good enough for me and I`m a demanding type!

My X350 is the R version with big brake spec. It has massive discs and Brembo 4 pot calipers. Your car though is likely to have 2 pistons on one side of the caliper with a typical "opposite and equal" pad slider mechanism to apply brake pressure to both sides of the disc. In engineering terms, the two types of brake caliper design are as like as chalk and cheese. Of the two types, the 4 pot calipers with the 2 pad retaining pins are rather easier to work with than the traditional 2 piston and reaction slider component types.

As regards brake issues generally, my "Brake and balance it" article of about four months ago gives advice on the types of issue that are the causes of braked and un-braked vibration.

Hope that helps.

Mike