Before I get into the project I'm trying to gather as much preliminary info as possible.

Per previous post, my rear brakes are progressively locking up on their own, during a relatively short drive.

Could the rear brakes locking up on their own be caused by a faulty Teves ABS system or would all 4 wheels lock up if it were due to the ABS system?

Thanks for any insight you might have.

 

My rear brakes locking up, was simply bad calipers. It could be the rear hose, but I doubt it. Have you tried flushing your brake system at all? If there is a lot of moisture, as in the brake fluid never changed, it could make a lot of difference with little money risked.

 

Right.

At this point it is about time to replace the brake hose and do a Dot 4 brake fluid flush.

THX

 

Supercharged (or anyone)

To change out the calipers, did you drop the subframe? If so, how many hours did it take? I'm completely new to Jaguars, so I'm on a steep learning curve.

Also, if the subframe needs to be dropped, it seems appropriate to replace the rotors at the same time. Anything else to change out while the subframe is out?

thanks

 

Dropping the rear sub frame is a 40 minute job after you get the exhaust pipes un-joined. The exhaust undoing, could be quick or a slog depending on any prior repairs or replacement. Once the subframe is out you can more easily address other probable issues like u-joints, subframe mounts, exhaust hangers, e-brake, leaks etc.

 

If you are new to Jaguars, let me prepare you for what you are about to undertake. Yes, it can be a 40 minute job to get the subframe out. In the case of my current car, it turned into far more than that. Both of the main bolts that hold the trailing arms to the body, sheared off. That required a few hours of careful drilling, then tapping, to get the new bolts to go back. Once I had the subframe out, the bolts were so tight on the rotors, that I had to use large pry bars to break them loose. It was the worst Jag suspension rebuild I've ever done, and I guess I've done 6 in the years of owning Jags. The right shop, lift, tools, I imagine it goes pretty quickly. If at all possible, I would do all I could to make sure that this isn't your problem. I would flush the system, I would replace all rubber lines, and maybe even put new pads on prior to tackling this job.

 

Thanks for the heads up Supercharged.

Yes Murphy and his law always seem to creep up on me.

Did you use a penetrating fluid such as PB Blaster on the main bolts and others before attempting to loosen them? Sometimes that helps. I usually spray it on and let it sit overnight. Its a southern Arizona car and has no rust.

Also, I agree that having a lift makes all the difference. I don't have one.

I'll take your advice and start with the 'easy' fixes and work my way up.

 

I don't have a lift either. Just a decent shop with a concrete floor. I put the car up on jack stands, and using my trusty old Walker floor jack, manage to do just about anything I need to. The XJS I currently own seems rust free, but seems water somehow made its way into the "cups" that those bolts screw into. The threads evidently were so rusted, as well as being inaccessable, that both just twisted off in short order. If I were to do it again, I might take the trailing arms loose at the cage, just to keep this from being a problem. I did however, put loads of grease on those new bolts when I put them back, just to make sure water didn't get to them again. On my E Type, I could see those bolts from inside the car. On the XJS, they seem truely out of sight....

 

Instead of using grease on the bolts, next time try anti seize. Great product. Next time the bolts will come out much easier. Been using it for many years, the stuff really works. Never had a problem removing even water pump bolts when I use this stuff.

Disclaimer: No affiliation with Permatex or Antiseize

 

Consider this dolly and screw some 2x4 or 4x4 wood to it. Then position it right under the IRS, unbolt and raise the car, one side at a time. Then you'll be able to move it safely and easily

The floor jack method works but the IRS tends to roll forward.

1000 lb. Capacity Mini Mover's Dolly